Free blood pressure checks at a community pharmacy were so successful the organisation is going to stage eye tests with two doctors flying in from Boston to carry them out.

The programmes are run at no cost to patients at Bermuda Diabetes Association’s Community Pharmacy.

Dozens of people waited in line for the blood pressure screenings at the Princess Street venue and Francesca Wyatt, marketing co-ordinator, said: “It was a big success and now we are going to roll out a three-day eye screening programme in November.

“We are linking up with two doctors who carried out a similar process last year. The idea is to prevent diabetes and promote good health management.”

Melissa Levy-James, head pharmacist, said: “We are here as a community pharmacy for everyone on the island. Our mission is to help prevent diabetes.

“We are a social enterprise and not for profit so the surplus from the pharmacy is used to fund all the programmes that we do like the blood pressure screening and eye tests.”

The blood pressure testing was run as part of Pharmacy Week to underline the vital part pharmacists have in keeping communities healthy.

Retired Keith Smith, 74, from St George’s, took the bllood pressure test and passed with flying colours. He said: “I am just below pre-diabetic and I do this to keep a check on my blood pressure.”

Now the eye doctors are due at the community pharmacy in a few weeks to carry out eye tests. They are Dr David Ramsey and Dr Mahesh Bhardwaj who specialise in ophthalmology.

The sessions are on Monday, November 16 from 3.30pm to 6pm, Tuesday, November 17 from 9am to noon and 1pm to 4.30pm and Wednesday, November 18 between 9am and noon, then 1pm until 3.30pm.