The co-lead of a Brixton blood pressure screening service aimed at increasing awareness and detection of hypertension in young Afro-Caribbean and African males has called for the scheme to be rolled out nationally.
Under the scheme, optical practices and a domiciliary service in Brixton targeted 'at risk' groups and offered free blood pressure checks and eye tests.
As part of the Brixton Hypertension Pilot Project, unveiled in December 2006 and launched by Kate Hoey MP, a total of 283 patients were screened, 63 per cent of whom were male and of those 73 per cent were from the target group.
Twenty eight per cent of participants failed the screening and were referred to their GP and a third were confirmed to have raised blood pressure and are now receiving treatment.
With the results just published, dispensing optician and co-lead Tony Hibberd said: 'Optometrists are easily accessible to the public and have the skills to conduct hypertension screening and indeed other services to promote healthcare on a local level.'
The scheme was funded by Modernisation Intiative, a Guy's and St Thomas' charity.