Clare County Council to join working group on library blood pressure monitor loan scheme

Clare County Council will join a working group to explore a scheme that would allow members of the public to borrow validated home blood pressure monitors from libraries across the county.

Fianna Fáil councillor Rachel Hartigan moved at the full council meeting on 14 September for the council to “establish a dedicated working group to examine and progress the introduction of a blood pressure monitor library loan scheme in County Clare”. The motion proposes a pilot in the main library of each Municipal District, with consultation from healthcare professionals and a view to expanding the scheme county‑wide if successful.

Hartigan, who has championed cardiovascular health initiatives after her partner’s recent quadruple bypass, welcomed the council’s response as “particularly encouraging”.

Siobhan McNulty, director of Library Services, confirmed that Clare Libraries are “happy to join a dedicated working group” and noted that they have consulted with Mayo Libraries, which piloted a similar scheme in partnership with the heart and stroke charity Croí in 2023. The Mayo scheme provides short‑term loans of blood pressure monitors through the libraries in Castlebar, Ballina and Belmullet.

McNulty added that the proposed Clare scheme could align with the Healthy Ireland at your Library programme, which funds health‑related resources and staff training in libraries.

The council has already sought advice from Mayo County Council and thanked acting county librarian Cora Gunter for her enthusiastic support.

Source: Clare Champion. Photo: Alexey K. / Pexels.