Local carers urged to claim free health checks at Lloydspharmacies during Carers Week

Anne McLaughlin MSP has welcomed an offer of free health checks for local people who care unpaid for ill, frail or disabled friends or family members during this year's Carers Week.

Lloydspharmacy has teamed up with charity Carers Scotland and Carers UK to offer free heart health checks (normally worth £15) to carers from 8th-14th June. The checks include cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes checks and are available from over 15 Lloyds Pharmacy stores in Glasgow.

There are currently 59,392 carers in Glasgow with over 17% suffering from poor health as a result of the caring duties they have to perform.

Patrick Begley, Director of Carers Scotland said: "Carers with the heaviest caring responsibilities are twice as likely to suffer ill health as the general public. Too often carers suffering from stress, isolation and exhaustion are unable to find time to get checkups and end up ignoring their own health problems to continue to care. This offer will allow carers to get their health checked there and then, when they pop into their local Lloydspharmacy."
Commenting further, Anne McLaughlin MSP said: "The unpaid care provided to friends and family by carers makes such an important contribution to our society and local communities - we have got to make sure their own health doesn't suffer as a result.
Practical initiatives like this partnership between our local Lloydspharmacy and Carers Scotland will help carers to look after themselves, and I would urge carers to take up this excellent opportunity to have their health checked.

"Unfortunately Glasgow has the highest rate of carers who are in poor health so this initiative is even more pertinent in our City. Furthermore, with over 15 stores all over the Glasgow region participating, this scheme is incredibly accessible and will therefore, hopefully, be taken up by many hard working carers."

Former GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips, who stepped down from GMTV to care for her children and elderly father said: "The isolation, exhaustion and stress that too often come with caring for friends or family can put carers' own health at risk. It is so important that carers don't forget to look after themselves and that is why I welcome the work Lloydspharmacy are doing in partnership with Carers UK, to enable carers to get free health check-ups at their local pharmacies."

The free checks are only available during Carers Week to carers with health check vouchers, which can be ordered by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Notes:

1.    Carers Scotland is part of Carers UK.  Carers UK is a campaigning, policy and information organisation of and for carers. Carers UK makes a difference to carers' lives by:

• Campaigning for a better deal for carers;
• Informing carers of their rights and what help is available
• Training and advising professionals who work with carers
• Working across the UK through its membership and networks of branches and affiliates

2.    Carers Week 2009 takes place from 8-14 June. Carers Week is run by a partnership of 10 national charities and highlights the vital work done by those who provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled. Carers Week campaigns for greater recognition and support for carers; to ensure that all carers know that they are not alone, and that help and services are available.

• To find out what's happening in your area during Carers Week visit www.carersweek.org or call 0845 241 2582.
• Carers Week is organised by Carers UK, Counsel and Care, Crossroads Caring for Carers, Help the Hospices, Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society, Parkinson's Disease Society, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Vitalise & WRVS.

3.    Participating Lloydspharmacy stores can be found by visiting www.lloydspharmacy.com/storelocator, ticking the 'Cholesterol and Heart Health Check' box and enter a local postcode.

4.    About Lloydspharmacy Cholesterol and Heart Checks - During a Lloydspharmacy Cholesterol and Heart Check specially trained staff will test cholesterol levels and blood pressure to estimate the risk of developing heart disease in the next 10 years. The 10-15 minute consultation, provides immediate results and a personalised action plan to help the customer take care of their heart.