Residents in Partington are being encouraged to take charge of their health with the launch of a free self-service health check station at Partington Library and Wellbeing Centre.
The new SiSU Health Station provides a free five-minute digital health “MOT”, allowing users to check important measures including blood pressure, heart rate, BMI, body composition and cardiovascular risk. The machine also provides an estimate of a user’s “heart age” alongside personalised advice to support healthier lifestyles.
Centre manager Addie Greenway is pictured with local resident Simon Mendelson.
The initiative aims to encourage more residents to monitor their health regularly and identify potential problems earlier, particularly those who may not routinely visit their GP.
The launch comes as Partington continues to face higher rates of smoking, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease compared with Trafford and national averages.
Since the machine was installed in May, 201 health checks have been completed. While the machine is available to everyone, fewer men than women have accessed it so far, with 68% of checks completed by women.
Almost 25% of users have been advised to seek further support relating to blood pressure or BMI, while 55% had not had their blood pressure checked in the previous year.
Dr James Hider, GP at Partington Family Practice, said the technology could identify problems earlier and help people to have healthier lifestyles. He said:
"I think a lot of people feel that their health is quite good. They don't actually check it - they just assume. We are seeing patients with health problems that potentially could have been prevented or found sooner. So having access to a health machine that allows patients to come and test their health is a huge benefit.
"We're quite keen to prevent things like diabetes and high blood pressure from developing. A machine like this can discuss your risk and give an indication that you may need more detailed testing. It prompts people to think about their health a bit more and perhaps seek advice at an earlier stage.
"There are a lot of services locally that can assist patients to interpret what the machine is telling them. Local pharmacies can offer support, and the practice has healthcare assistants and nurses who can double-check things like raised blood pressure readings, give advice about weight management and provide guidance on general health issues. The important thing is that support is available, and people can get pointed in the right direction early on."
One local resident who has been using the machine regularly since its arrival has already seen positive results.
Sharon Clayton, from Partington, began using the machine when it was installed in May and says it has helped motivate her to lose more than two stone so far. She said:
“It seems intimidating at first, but the SiSU machine is actually easy to use, because it gives you step by step instructions on what to do next, and I use it weekly to keep me focussed on my weight loss journey and keeping healthy.”
Cllr Jane Slater, Executive Member for Healthy and Independent Lives at Trafford Council said:
“This is a positive step for Partington and an important investment in prevention and early intervention. Too many serious health conditions develop quietly over time, often without obvious symptoms. The SiSU Health Station makes it simple for people to quickly check important aspects of their health in a place they already visit and feel comfortable using.
“We want to make healthcare more accessible, reduce inequalities and help people in Partington live long and healthy lives, and this machine will help achieve that goal - It’s free, easy to use and available right in the heart of the community.”
The health station can be used by anyone aged 16 and over during normal opening hours. Users receive instant results on screen and can also choose to receive them by email or through the SiSU app.
Residents identified as needing additional support can be connected with local stop smoking services, physical activity programmes and wider wellbeing support through partners including BluSci, GP practices, pharmacies and Trafford Leisure.
The SiSU Health Station will also help improve understanding of local health trends and support future community health planning in Partington.