Rishi Sunak inaugurates new Knights Pharmacy in Bedale

The new Knights Pharmacy in Bedale, located at Glebe House Surgery was inaugurated by MP Rishi Sunak on Saturday (26).

Sunak, took the opportunity to test a newly commissioned NHS service first-hand, meet staff and have his blood pressure checked as part of the NHS England Hypertension Case Finding Service.

The service, which encourages  pharmacists to measure the blood pressure of adults over 40 years of age, aims to identify people with high blood pressure, who have previously not had a confirmed diagnosis of hypertension, allowing them to be referred to their GP to confirm diagnosis and for appropriate management.

As part of this management, GPs can refer patients to community pharmacies for either clinic readings or ambulatory measurements.

---

The service will be available at this and every Knights Pharmacy - of which there are more than 90 across England and Wales.

Pete Horrocks, Superintendent Pharmacist at Knights Pharmacy, said: “I’m very grateful that Mr Sunak was able to come and open our new premises here in Bedale, as well as seeing how the Hypertension Case Finding Service will work in practice.

“It was also really beneficial for us to speak on the current challenges facing our sector, as well as the success stories our industry has achieved.”

Mr Sunak said: “We know that pharmacists are the, responsive, local heartbeat of our healthcare system. This service is going to have a positive impact on identifying blood pressure issues in those who are currently undiagnosed.”