During Know Your Numbers Week, two community events were held to promote the Ageing Well Service and the work of the Personalised Care Team in the Upper Calder Valley Primary Care Network (PCN), following requests from local services. Each event ran for two hours, providing members of the public with the opportunity to speak with Ageing Well Nurse Faye Batley and a member of the Personalised Care Team. Information boards and leaflets were available, and attendees were offered blood pressure checks.
Venues:
- Age Concern Coffee Morning, Todmorden (AM)
- Hebden Bridge Town Hall (PM)
Attendee Profile
At the Todmorden coffee morning, the group was predominantly women aged 75+ who were registered at the local GP surgery. The Town Hall event attracted a wider age range (40–80s) and a broader geographical mix, with attendees coming from across Calderdale and West Yorkshire, as well as a more balanced gender mix.
Key Outcomes
- Over 50 people engaged with the team across both events.
- Approximately 18 blood pressure checks were conducted; around one-third of readings were above recommended limits.
- Local patients were offered blood pressure diaries or a review with their practice nurse. Attendees not registered locally received guidance on monitoring their blood pressure at home or through their local pharmacy/GP. Diet and lifestyle advice was also provided.
- One referral was made to the Falls Prevention Team, and around five attendees were given exercises and advice for home practice. Information on how to access the Falls Prevention Team was shared.
- Four people requested longer appointments and a full holistic assessment with the Ageing Well Practitioner. Assessments will cover cognition, diet, wellbeing, and falls prevention, delivered either in clinic or at home based on individual needs.
Feedback
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive:
- Coffee morning attendees expressed interest in more events like this, appreciating the opportunity to chat with services and have their blood pressure checked.
- One participant who later attended a clinic appointment commented: “You were a godsend and it was what I needed to help bring me out of this rut.”
- Town Hall attendees found the event valuable for learning about available services.
