Report on Stroke Awareness Day 2014

A Report by Rotarian Dr. Ian Johnston.

The Stroke Awareness Day on the 5th of April was a great success.  That was due to a number of fortuitous factors.

Firstly, the weather was excellent cool and dry without a breeze so that the gazebo did not need tethering and papers weighting down.

Secondly, setting up the camp was made a pleasure by the loan of the gazebo and setting up skills of Mr Geoff Lindley and his son, the staff of the Spires were particularly welcoming and helpful in the placing of chairs and tables.  And the loan of extra chairs from the North London Society of Model Engineers added valuable chair space.  Of note was the generous loan of a table from Costa.

Third was the enthusiasm of Barnet Rotary members who volunteered to be roustabouts and gather the participants into the tent to have their blood pressures measured and advice given as to when their blood pressure should be checked again.  Remarks like ‘don’t be frightened’ or ‘knowing your blood pressure could help you prevent a stroke’ were helpful.  All members arrived on time and often stayed over their allotted period.

Fourth was Brian Coleman’s preparation by getting into local papers, an announcement that the event was to take place and of course the contacting of Madam Mayor, Cllr Wendy Prentice and the Deputy Mayor Cllr Bridget Perry. Our old friend Martin Russell and our MP the Right Honourable Theresa Villiers gladly accepted Brian’s invitation and had their blood pressures measured and their photographs taken.

Fifth was the excellent team of local doctors, nurses and medical students who manned three positions in the gazebo measuring blood pressures with only Costa coffee for lubrication.

Sixth was the supply of very appropriate forms and literature from the Stroke Association and public liability insurance certificates at no cost.

Lastly.  And most important, seventh was the wonderful response from the Citizens of Barnet who arrived on mass to sensibly have their blood pressures measured and FAST leaflets gathered in.

All in all, an excellent day during which 209 participants had their blood pressures taken.  Fortunately most were normal but 16 were asked to visit their GP within a week, 23 were asked to visit their GP in a month.  No one had a BP high enough to be referred to hospital as an emergency.

Dr. Ian Johnston

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