Heart and Stroke Issues

Rotary supports early detection of heart and stroke issues
Rotarians from Cockermouth, Whitehaven Castle and Direct Rotary in Cumbria & Lancashire help out.

In 2019 a group of people and organisations who were concerned about the high numbers of people having a stroke in the Copeland area got together to consider this issue. Up to 85% of strokes have the potential to be avoided, so they wanted to do something to help people find out if they have risk factors that can be identified and treated, and raise awareness of lifestyle choices that can improve their health.  Rotarians involved included Elly Day from Whitehaven Castle Rotary and Kevin Walsh one of our Direct Members.  

Building on earlier NHS and Rotary work, a multiagency steering group of health and care representatives including  Rotary, was formed.  Community events were attended where stroke prevention and awareness messages were delivered and the ‘health in a tent, in a field’ was taken around the area.  Colleagues offered  blood pressure and irregular pulse tests alongside a team sharing advice on simple ways people can improve their own health.

Following feedback and evaluation the programme was continued and members of Whitehaven Castle Rotary including Elly regularly visit the monthly Egremont Farmers Market to test for AF ( Atrial  Fibrillation).  Other events attended include Whitehaven Traders Fairs, where they are also able to do Blood Pressure testing with nurses from the Late Night Pharmacy. 

Image : Elly Day (left) supporting the Copeland Stroke Prevention project

Occasionally  there are sessions held in the Foyer at West Cumberland Hospital working with the Stroke Team, and last October they were very honoured to be invited along to meet Princess Anne, when she came to open the new Stroke Rehab Unit at WCH.

Rotary in West Cumbria has since become involved with another Stroke programme, this time from Cockermouth

Rotary volunteers are trained in taking Atrial Fibrillation (AF) tests in the community.  They set up stalls at public events such as agricultural shows, busy market days, conferences and galas giving positive health promotion messages out as well as taking AF tests.  The team make sure anybody with an abnormal result gets the right help from the right professional and so increase the early detection of heart and stroke issues. 

Image : Cockermouth Volunteers 

Their Community Stroke & Heart Volunteers were nominated and shortlisted from over 920 nominations for the NHS Parliamentary Awards where the team that attended from Cockermouth Rotary Club to represent the project were presented with a certificate and heard some inspirational stories from across the health and care sector.  Thanks were given by the Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Secretary of State Wes Streeting MP along with many other cross-party MPs who were there to present various of the awards. 

Read the Press release from Cumberland Council following the launch of the latest Partnership.