NHS Ayrshire & Arran, in partnership with the Pumping Marvellous Foundation and The Killie Community, is delivering a free Heart Health Event for anyone aged 18 and above on Friday 15 March 2024.
A team of staff from University Hospital Crosshouse’s Cardiology department and acute care team, including cardiology Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs), specialist heart failure nurses, a physiologist, unscheduled care nurses, clinical support workers, a Cardiology Consultant and a GP, will be providing free screening from 10am until 3pm at the Killie Community Hub, Rugby Park, Kilmarnock. Staff from Pumping Marvellous, the largest patient-led heart failure charity in the UK, will also be on hand for information and advice.
Gaynor Campbell, Senior Cardiology ANP and one of the event organisers, explains:
“This event is open to all adults in Ayrshire and Arran and we would encourage everyone to come along – no appointment needed. We will be carrying out heart rhythm checks to assess for new atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm), high blood pressure checks and for those with certain symptoms a simple finger prick blood test to measure a heart hormone level for new suspected heart failure. For the vast majority of people, it will provide them with reassurance that they have had a heart check-up. If any follow up is required we will arrange for that to take place at the Crosshouse Cardiac Day Unit and letters will be provided on the day for people to give to their GPs, if needed.
“This is part of a 12 site, four nation pilot from Pumping Marvellous looking at improving access to health care in an alternative setting and we are very excited and grateful to be the only board in Scotland who have been approached to participate. Special thanks also to The Killie Community for kindly providing the venue and all their additional expertise.”