Monty Panesar supports pharmacy health checks [7th March 2008]

[7th March 2008]

This is a report written by Robert Yates, intern to Lord Taylor, on a Lloydspharmacy testing station.

Lloydspharmacy Testing Station
23rd January 2008

On Wednesday 23rd January 2008, I went to the Lloydspharmacy testing station in Commons Dining Room A inside parliament. This event gave MPs, Peers and parliamentary staff a chance to have a free cholesterol, diabetes and heart check. England international cricketer, Monty Panesar, was present for photographs. The event was a way for the company to advertise the national launch of these checks throughout its 600+ pharmacies.

When I arrived I was greeted by a friendly pharmacist who explained the procedure. I then spoke to Andy Murdock, the Pharmacy Director who was running the event. The event celebrated the 1million diabetes checks done this year by Lloydspharmacy of which over 50,000 were referred to GP’s. It also announced the launch of the diabetes and heart check facilities which are to be launched in nearly all LloydsPharmacy branches throughout the UK. This was an important milestone for this initiative.

Meeting Monty Panesar was a pleasure. He is an inspiring cricketing hero, who is idolised by his fans. So for our American readers, cricket is like baseball! He was being very friendly talking with the many MPs and Lords who had come to check their health. I got in the queue for the Diabetes test after this. I was told that it would be a 5 minute wait so I had a quick snack. Unfortunately this affected my diabetes check and my blood sugar level had quickly risen to just above the safe limit of 6.0. This was a lesson for me as a quick bag of crisps could affect my blood sugar level. I was then given a card allowing me to have a free check in London in the future.

Overall, this event highlighted the importance of health in the UK. Pharmacies providing quick and easy checks like these, will help people to keep track of their health. This will enable people to help themselves, rather than leaving it too late and putting a burden on hospitals.