NEAS is undertaking a research study to explore if a health MOT carried out by a paramedic can encourage people to seek further support from their GP.
Cardio-vascular disease (CVD), of which coronary heart disease is the most common, is a major cause of death in most European countries. CVD can be caused by an irregular heart beat, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels (fatty deposits in the blood) and smoking tobacco. These conditions can be treated, therefore identifying those most at risk is a priority as the first step in the prevention of premature death and disability. Identifying an irregular heart beat, high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels is traditionally done by a GP, but there may be some benefit in identifying these in places closer to where people live, work and socialise, rather than in the GP surgery.
The purpose of this research is to explore if a health MOT comprising of a pulse check, blood pressure check, cholesterol check and information about how to stop smoking delivered by a paramedic in the community, with appropriate advice, can help people seek further support from their GP/NHS Stop smoking team. We also aim to identify the barriers that prevent people seeking further support from their GP or staying with the stop smoking team.
The study opened to recruitment on 13/01/2024 and will run for approximately 10 months. The research team will visit deprived areas across the region over the coming months, including food banks and community centres.