Preventive & Monitoring Services in Newport

Preventive and monitoring services are the pharmacy health checks you can have at Your Community Pharmacy in Newport to keep an eye on your health between GP visits. Four of the five are free, none needs an appointment or a referral, and the pharmacist explains every result before you leave.

Health checks and support at Your Community Pharmacy

Each check answers a different question, from "is my blood pressure where it should be?" to "are my medicines working well together?". Choose the one that fits, or ask the pharmacist which makes sense for you.

• Blood Pressure CheckA free reading in store, with both figures explained.
• Diabetes MonitoringA one-minute finger-prick blood glucose check, free.
• Stroke Risk AssessmentAbout 10 minutes on your risks and the F.A.S.T. signs.
• Medication ReviewEvery medicine you take checked for clashes and side effects.
• Weight Management SupportPractical, honest advice on steps you can keep up.

Which check suits you?

• If heart disease runs in your family, you have been told your numbers are borderline, or you have just started a new medicine, a blood pressure check every few months shows how your readings change over time.
• If you live with diabetes and want a reading between appointments, or you have a family history of type 2 diabetes or have had gestational diabetes, diabetes monitoring gives you your blood glucose level in about a minute.
• If you want to know which of your own stroke risks you can change, the stroke risk assessment combines a blood pressure reading with questions about smoking, alcohol, activity, diet and conditions such as high cholesterol.
• If you take several medicines, including supplements and over-the-counter products, a medication review checks they are safe and suited to you.
• If you want to lose or maintain weight in a healthy way and are not sure where to start, weight management support gives you a plan based on Australian health guidance.

What happens when you come in

Ask for the pharmacist at the counter any time we are open: Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm. The pharmacist takes any reading in store, talks through what it means for you and, if something needs follow-up, tells you whether to see your GP and what to take along. Keeping a note of each result gives your doctor a useful record over time.

The blood pressure check, diabetes monitoring, stroke risk assessment and medication review cost nothing. For weight management support, ask the pharmacist about cost when you come in.

Government-funded medication reviews

A MedsCheck is a government-funded medication review held in a private area of the pharmacy, with its own eligibility rules. A Home Medicines Review takes place in your own home after a GP referral to a credentialed pharmacist. We do not make home visits, but we can talk through whether one might help and suggest you ask your GP about a referral.

When to see your GP or call 000

A pharmacy check is a way to keep watch, not a diagnosis. Your GP confirms high blood pressure over repeated readings, and only your GP can diagnose diabetes, using laboratory tests. Anything that needs a prescription goes to your GP too.

If you notice signs of a stroke, such as a drooping face, arm weakness or slurred speech, call 000 straight away, even if the symptoms pass within minutes. Our article on stroke symptoms explains the signs to know, and the Heart Foundation has more on blood pressure and your heart.

Common questions