SPECIALIST clinics are to be set up soon in Darlington to monitor patients' blood pressure, and prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Darlington Primary Care Trust pharmaceutical advisor Chris Williams has had four months training in supplementary prescribing for pharmacists, allowing him to run the clinics.
High blood pressure can cause a variety of illnesses and is associated with heart attacks and strokes in particular.
The hypertension clinics, to be held at Parkgate and Carmel surgeries, are the first of their kind in Darlington. Mr Williams is the first pharmacist in the town to obtain the qualification.
"High blood pressure can lead to heart attacks and strokes, as well as other cardiac problems and diabetes," he said.
"The clinics will reduce the risks of these occurring. I will be able to agree a range of drugs for patients with high blood pressure and monitor their progress.
"I will also be able to offer them lifestyle advice to help them live with the condition."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article