The impact of the 'BP at Home Project'

The impact of the BP at Home Project

Sam is one of Locala’s Community Stroke Nurses and leads on the ‘BP at Home Project’. The project’s aim is to reduce the risk of a secondary stroke by helping patients manage their blood pressure at home. 80 blood pressure monitors were funded by West Yorkshire ICB, and patients are either loaned or gifted one, ensuring that all patients can be involved.

Sam says - “Being able to loan the blood pressure monitors to patients has been very beneficial for my role as blood pressure management is one of the main reasons for my input with patients receiving stroke rehab. It ensures patients and families can be educated accurately on what their blood pressure should be and allows them to self-manage their blood pressure. Being able to gift the monitors ensures continued blood pressure monitoring once my visits have finished. This means the patients and families can raise any concerns about their blood pressure with their GP.”

Jo from Locala’s Engagement Team spoke with two of Sam’s patients to find out how the BP monitors helped them.

John’s feedback: John had a stroke last August. He is a carer for his wife and had just got her to bed and was enjoying some quiet time in his conservatory. “I saw a flash and suddenly had double vision. I tried to get up but my balance was all over the place.” John says his stroke “Came out of the blue.” Once home from hospital, he was visited by the Community Stroke Team who he says were “tremendous.” He explains that Sam gave him a BP monitor. “She asked me to check my blood pressure twice a day - three times, twice a day - and to write down the readings.” John found this very reassuring. He feels that without the monitor, he wouldn’t have felt so informed. “I wouldn’t have known I was Ok if I hadn’t had this. It was good to know my medications were working and that I was alright.” John continues to regularly check his blood pressure.

Hafsa’s feedback: Hafsa is 57 years old and had a stroke last October. Her daughter says, “My Mum felt unwell for a couple of days, then one morning she couldn’t lift her arm up or move her leg.” A CT scan confirmed Hafsa had had a stroke. After 4 days in hospital, she came home and was seen by Locala’s Community stroke Team. Hafsa says they were “very good, very friendly.” Hafsa’s daughter explains how having the BP monitor has helped. “Mum has anxiety. So, if she goes to the doctors to have her BP checked, it will be high. White coat syndrome! Being able to check it at home has been so much better. It’s given her confidence. Her GP has had to change her medications [due to the readings taken by Hafsa at home] but, monitoring her means we know the medication is now effective as her blood pressure is coming down.”