An NHS team armed with blood pressure monitors, stethoscopes and lung function kits gave out free health MOTs to residents.

Members of the Swale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) offered the checks to people at the Gateway Centre in Sheerness on Friday.sep21

It was as part of the Sittingbourne and Sheppey Beats and Breathes Campaign, which is supported by the Times Guardian and Swale Borough Council.

Around 60 people took advantage of the while-you-wait tests at the event in Sheerness and one in Sittingbourne on the same day.

Each person was offered advice and support from NHS health trainers when they received their results.

The Beats and Breathes campaign aims to cut the number of premature deaths from heart and lung disease by encouraging people to monitor their health regularly and offering them support to make simple lifestyle changes, which can help reduce their risk of disease.

The event was supported by the NHS Stop Smoking Service and Kent Community Health NHS Trust’s Health Trainers.

• The NHS is also urging people to take action to protect their hearts in aid of World Heart Day on Saturday. Last year, 112 people under 75 in Swale died from heart disease and stroke.
• Contact Kent Community Health NHS Trust on 0800 849 4444 to find out how they can help you.