Know Your Numbers Campaign Smashes Cornwall Target in Half the Time

Of every three people who had their blood pressure checked across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly over the past year, one was found to have high blood pressure. Many had no idea.

That figure, from the Integrated Community Stroke Service, sits behind a public health drive that has now blown past its original target and set a bigger one.

15,000 checks in six months

The “Know Your Numbers and Take Action” campaign set out to deliver 10,000 blood pressure checks across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in a year. It passed 15,000 in six.

Partners behind the campaign now want another 5,000 people checked, taking the new goal to 20,000 within the original 12-month window.

It is being run by NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Healthy Cornwall, Public Health, Cornwall Library Services, community pharmacy, local GP surgeries and the Integrated Community Stroke Service.

Dr Chris Reid, NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly’s Chief Place and Transformation Officer, said: “We set out to make blood pressure checks as routine as brushing your teeth, and exceeding 15,000 checks shows just how hard partners have worked to reach people and get them to have this vital check.”

Chris added: “We want to go further by now aiming for 5,000 more people to get their blood pressured check, helping to prevent avoidable strokes and heart disease and saving lives across the area.”

Where the checks happened

Between September 2025 and March 2026, the breakdown looked like this:

• Pharmacies: 11,919
• GP practices (NHS Health Checks): 2,600
• Cornwall Libraries: 529
• Cornwall Council workplace checks: 328
• Wellbeing kiosk: 217

Community pharmacies did most of the heavy lifting through the Hypertension Case-Finding Service, which lets people walk in without an appointment.

Amanda Fidelis, NHS Cornwall senior clinical pharmacist, said: “Pharmacies have played a vital role in the success of this campaign. It’s quick and free to visit your local pharmacist for a blood pressure check, and if needed, we can refer people to their GP within 24 hours. It’s a simple step that could make a huge difference.”

Libraries played a different role, lending out blood pressure monitors for people to use at home. Karen Burdon from Cornwall Libraries said the 529 loans showed sustained demand across both larger and smaller sites, with residents actively borrowing monitors to use in more relaxed environments.

Employers and clubs asked to step in

The next push is at workplaces, sports clubs and community groups, particularly any with members over the age of 40. The Healthy Cornwall team is asking those groups to get in touch to arrange checks for their workforce or membership.

Gareth Walsh, public health practitioner for Cornwall Council, said: “We’re delighted to have not only reached but exceeded our original goal. This is a fantastic achievement and shows just how engaged people are with taking control of their health, and now we want to ask local employers, sports clubs and groups to get in touch and support this campaign.”

Gareth added: “High blood pressure often has no symptoms and remains a leading cause of serious illness, so we’re continuing to encourage everyone to know their numbers. It’s a quick, free check that can make a real difference, available in a range of community settings, including libraries.”

High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because it usually shows no symptoms while quietly raising the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Details on where to get checked are on the Know Your Numbers page at NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.