CLINICS will be set up in Darlington to monitor patients' blood pressure, and help to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Darlington Primary Care Trust pharmaceutical advisor Chris Williams has undergone four months' training in supplementary prescribing for pharmacists, allowing him to run the clinics.
High blood pressure can cause a number of illnesses and is associated with heart attacks and strokes in particular. The clinics, to be set up at two Darlington GP surgeries, will be dedicated to monitoring and controlling patients' blood pressure.
Mr Williams said: "I will also be able to offer people lifestyle advice to help them live with the condition."
The hypertension clinics will be at Parkgate and Carmel surgeries. Mr Williams is the first pharmacist in the town to obtain the qualification.
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