In September 2023, Healthy Meath launched a pilot Chronic Disease Risk Management Programme Pilot in Kells and Oldcastle (Co. Meath). The local data gathered during this pilot demonstrated the key role community pharmacists play in screening programmes.
The purpose of this pilot was to provide a free health check to eligible residents of Co Meath to identify risk factors that lead to the development of certain chronic diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Pharmacists screened for certain risk factors and provided advice and support based on the screening results obtained. Funding was provided by Meath County Council under the Healthy Ireland Fund, supported by the Department of Health.
Healthy Meath (at Meath County Council) wishes to extend this project to the remaining five Municipal Districts in County Meath which include Ashbourne, Bettystown/Laytown, Navan, Ratoath and Trim.
Pharmacies in these areas are now invited to participate in this next phase of the project which will commence in January/February 2024.
Participating pharmacies will offer a cardiovascular risk assessment to residents of Co Meath which will comprise of the following elements:
- Completion of a lifestyle questionnaire;
- Measurement of waist Circumference;
- Measurement of Blood Pressure;
- Blood testing to determine the persons lipid profile and Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c); and
- Estimation of the persons 10-year risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease using SCORE2 Risk Algorithm.
The service will be funded by Healthy Meath and as such will be free to patients at the point of access.
If your pharmacy is interested in supporting your local community and being part of this project, please send your details and the pharmacy details to pharmacists@ipu.ie before Friday 22 December. We will contact you and provide you with additional information regarding sponsorship, likely duration of the pilot and additional support that will be provided for the delivery of this project.
This collaboration presents an exciting opportunity to make a tangible impact on public health across Co Meath and we would encourage you to participate.
