Tees Valley Women’s Centre recently hosted two Healthy Heart Check sessions, helping women access vital cardiovascular health checks in a welcoming and familiar community setting.
Delivered in partnership with Health Innovation North East North Cumbria (HI NENC), the sessions were part of the Innovation in Healthcare Inequalities Programme (InHIP). The aim was to reduce barriers to healthcare access and support women who may not otherwise attend routine heart health checks.
Supporting Women’s Heart Health
Across the two sessions, 25 women aged between 21 and 70+ took part and received a range of health checks, including:
Point-of-care cholesterol testing (finger-prick test)
Blood pressure measurements
Height and weight checks
QRISK3 cardiovascular risk assessments
These checks were delivered onsite at Tees Valley Women’s Centre, making access simple, comfortable, and convenient for attendees.
Key Outcomes
The sessions identified previously unmet health needs:
16 women (64%) were referred to their GP for further support
Referrals were based on:
Raised cholesterol levels
High blood pressure readings
QRISK3 scores indicating increased future cardiovascular risk
One potential case of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH)
Some participants required referral for more than one reason, highlighting the importance of early detection and prevention.
What Women Told Us
The feedback demonstrates the value of community-based health services:
“If it wasn’t for coming to the women’s centre, I wouldn’t have gone to get checked.”
“It was explained brilliantly and helped me understand my health better.”
Women reported feeling informed, supported, and empowered to take next steps with their GP and make positive lifestyle changes.
Making a Difference in the Community
Hosting health checks at Tees Valley Women’s Centre helped remove common barriers such as anxiety, access, and time constraints. The project shows how trusted community spaces can play a vital role in improving health outcomes and tackling inequalities.
📄 Read the Full Evaluation Report
To learn more about the project outcomes and insights:
