Mary Welcomes Free Carers Health Checks During Carers Week

Wakefield carers urged to claim free health checks at their local Lloydspharmacy before 14th June!  

Mary Creagh, MP for Wakefield has welcomed an offer of free health checks for local people who care unpaid for ill, frail or disabled friends or family members during this year's Carers Week.    Carers UK and Lloydspharmacy are to offer free heart health checks (normally worth £15) to carers from 8th-14th June.

The checks include cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes checks and can are available from local Lloydspharmacy branches.  The free checks are available during Carers Week to carers with health check vouchers, which can be ordered by emailing charity@lloydspharmacy.co.uk   

There are 10,311 carers in Wakefield, 1237 or 12% of whom are in poor health.

Mary Creagh said: "The unpaid care provided to friends and family by carers makes such an important contribution to our society and local communities. We have got to make sure their own health doesn't suffer as a result. Practical help like this partnership between our local Lloydspharmacy and Carers UK will help carers to look after themselves, and I would urge carers to take up this excellent opportunity this week to have their health checked."

Former GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips, who stepped down from GMTV to care for her children and elderly father said: "The isolation, exhaustion and stress that too often come with caring for friends or family can put carers' own health at risk. It is so important that carers don't forget to look after themselves and that is why I welcome the work Lloydspharmacy are doing in partnership with Carers UK, to enable carers to get free health check-ups at their local pharmacies."

Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: "Carers with the heaviest caring responsibilities are twice as likely to suffer ill health as the general public. Too often carers suffering from stress, isolation and exhaustion are unable to find time to get checkups and end up ignoring their own health problems to continue to care. This offer will allow carers to get their health checked there and then, when they pop into their local Lloydspharmacy."