LJMU students do sterling work on Stroke Awareness Day

07 July 2010

On Stroke Awareness Day, over 400 Rotary Clubs took to the streets to take the public’s blood pressure. On average, the awareness day sees around 13,500 people step up to have their blood pressure taken, with just under 3,000 being advised to see their GP for more tests and a further 196 urged to seek medical advice immediately. It's fair to say that over the years, this event has prevented thousands of people suffering the sometimes fatal and often disabling consequences of a stroke.

Rotary Know Your Blood Pressure Day is run in partnership with The Stroke Association to help people better understand the relation between high blood pressure (hypertension) and stroke. It is estimated that 40% of the 150,000 strokes suffered by people in the UK each year could be prevented. This condition can easily be controlled.

LJMU nursing students and the academic lead, Frances Colbron, from the Student Mentoring Service at the Faculty of Health and Applied Social Sciences, carried out 201 blood pressure tests at the Asda Superstore in Hunts Cross Liverpool.  The Liverpool  Garston Rotary Club members also  assisted on the day and of  the 201 persons tested, 9 were advised to see their GP for further treatment.

The Student Mentoring Service also offers a network of student mentors who can help first year students settle into university life. Student mentors are second or third year undergraduate students who have undertaken training to allow them to provide appropriate support for first year students. Student mentors offer study advice and support, demonstrate how systems in the Faculty work and listen to any queries and concerns students may have.