AN ambulance service is looking for community groups to help reduce the risks of heart disease and stroke.

The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) is searching across the region for groups to host a Health MOT session with the service’s research team.

The NEAS Health MOT, which began in January, aims to explore if a health MOT comprising of a pulse check, blood pressure check, cholesterol check and information about how to stop smoking and reduce alcohol consumption can help people seek further support from their GP or local stop smoking team.

Working from a patient transport ambulance, the paramedic-led team is visiting areas across the North East, focusing on areas of deprivation, and offering anyone aged over 40 a health MOT.

The trial has supported more than 200 people. It will continue until October 2024.

Research paramedic Karl Charlton, who is leading the study, said: "By visiting places where people work, live and socialise, we are aiming to increase the uptake of health checks, especially by people who wouldn’t normally receive one in a traditional GP setting. The risk factors often don’t have symptoms, so health checks are an important way of reducing a person’s risk of heart disease and stroke."