Chancellor Rishi Sunak has visited a newly opened pharmacy in his constituency to check his blood pressure as part of a commissioned NHS service.

Mr Sunak, the MP for Richmond, visited the new Knights Pharmacy premises in Bedale. He officially opened the site, whioch is collocated with a GP surgery, met with team members and had his blood pressure checked as part of the hypertension casefinding service commissioned by NHS England & Improvement since last autumn.

The pharmacist-administered blood pressure measuring service is available to all adults over 40, and is aimed at identifying people who have high blood pressure but have not previously had a confirmed diagnosis. 

Pharmacists may refer patients to their GP for a confirmed diagnosis and for management of their condition, which may involve the patient coming back to the pharmacy to arrange clinic readings or ambulatory measurements. 

Mr Sunak said: “We know that pharmacists are the responsive, local heartbeat of our healthcare system. This service is going to have a positive impact on identifying blood pressure issues in those who are currently undiagnosed.” 

Knights superintendent pharmacist Pete Horrocks said: “I’m very grateful that Mr Sunak was able to come and open our new premises here in Bedale, as well as seeing how the hypertension casefinding service will work in practice.

“It was also really beneficial for us to speak on the current challenges facing our sector, as well as the success stories our industry has achieved.”