Suffolk Libraries has partnered with NHS Suffolk and North East Essex to make blood pressure monitors available for people to borrow from our libraries.

High blood pressure is the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes, despite being a preventable condition. Taking blood pressure measurements over a few days, when people are more relaxed in their own homes, can give more accurate results than a test in a clinic where patients may feel more stressed.

The monitors can be borrowed from any of our 45 libraries, mobile libraries and our Suffolk Libraries Local pop-up libraries. They can be borrowed for three weeks. There is no charge for loaning the monitors but they will incur late fees at the same rate as adult books and a replacement fee of £27 if lost. You’ll need to reserve them in advance from the library catalogue and then collect them from your local library.

How to borrow a blood pressure monitor

Blood pressure monitors can be reserved from our online catalogue to be collected from your local library. You will need a library card to borrow a monitor - if you don't have a library card, you can sign up online or at your local library.

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• Visit the online catalogue
• Click 'Advanced search' in the top right corner
• Change the 'Anywhere' box to 'Subject'
• Type in 'Medical equipment' and hit Search
• Select the Blood Pressure Monitor item
• Reserve the monitor to be collected from your chosen library, the same way you would for a book.

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Important information

• You must be at least 18 years old to borrow a monitor
• You must have a Suffolk Libraries card in good standing with no outstanding fines or history of multiple lost items
• Loan periods are for three weeks* with the option to renew if there are no outstanding reservations
• If you lose the monitor, a replacement fee of £27 will be added to your account
• You will be asked to sign a user agreement before you are able to take the monitor out on loan.

Please note that library staff are solely responsible for loaning the monitors and cannot offer medical advice. If you are concerned about your blood pressure you should follow the advice which is provided with the monitors and contact your GP if necessary.

This blood pressure monitor is not recommended for people with severe arrhythmia.

For more information on our blood pressure monitors, please email wellbeing@suffolklibraries.co.uk.

*four weeks if you are registered on the mobile library service.