People in West Suffolk have been invited to drop in on special health roadshows for free blood pressure checks and health and exercise advice.

The events, taking place in Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury, have been organised following the success of three community health events held during national falls awareness week in June.

Called ‘get on board’, the project will see staff from Suffolk Community Healthcare join partners organisations from across the county to offer blood pressure tests, walking aid checks, falls and fracture prevention advice, health tips and information on exercise, such as health walks, yoga and tai chi.

Forest Heath District Council’s SOS bus will be on hand so that older people can also get advice about how to get on and off public transport safely.

Roadshows will be held at the following times:
• Tuesday 8 Dec, 9.30 am – 2pm, Market Square, Newmarket
• Wednesday 9 Dec, 9.30am – 2pm, Cornhill Walk, Bury St Edmunds
• Thursday 10 Dec, 9.30am – 2pm, Sudbury Market Place

Ann Hunt, falls prevention coordinator with Suffolk Community Healthcare, said: “These roadshows are open to everyone, and are designed to make it easy for people to access health advice on their doorstep. As well as offering general advice, we’ll be helping older people to prevent falls by carrying out walking aid inspections and other health checks.

“We are working with a range of partner organisations to bring this roadshow to the west of the county, and would encourage anyone interested in finding out more to drop by.”

The events have been organised in partnership with West Suffolk Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), Age Concern, Havebury Housing, Anglia Community Leisure, South Suffolk Sport, Abbeycroft Leisure, the Stroke Association and Suffolk County Council.

For more advice on preventing falls, please contact SCH’s falls prevention co-ordinators Ann Hunt, on 01284 748824 or Anita Walkinshaw, on 01473 275250, visit www.fallsandfracturepreventioninsuffolk.nhs.uk

Suffolk Community Healthcare is responsible for providing services in the Suffolk area, excluding Waveney, and is hosted by NHS Suffolk, the county’s primary care trust.

For more information, contact 01284 760025 or visit www.suffolk.nhs.uk