Pharmacy2U has launched a nationwide workplace heart health programme that aims to provide 100,000 cholesterol self-test kits and follow-up consultations to employees across Britain, with Royal Mail among the first organisations to join.
The Healthy Heart Programme is designed to bring cardiovascular checks closer to working life at a time when many people are still missing routine screening. Pharmacy2U said only 38% of those invited attended their NHS Health Check last year, while 62% of English adults were not reached through the programme, where cholesterol and wider heart health issues are often identified.
Royal Mail will offer the digital self-test kits to employees across the country. Developed with PocDoc, the checks use a microfluidic test and a smartphone to measure cholesterol and provide an estimated heart age, after which participants are offered a pharmacist telephone consultation. Over the following eight to 10 weeks, they also receive heart health guidance, with the option of taking a second test where appropriate.
The programme’s launch is also tied to a personal story from inside Royal Mail. Leeds-based postman Carl Lockwood survived a cardiac arrest in 2019 after a colleague performed CPR before paramedics arrived. He now lives with atrial fibrillation, managed through medication, and continues to work in an adapted role.
Lockwood said: “I’ve always been your typical postie – on my feet all day, loving exercise and getting out and about – ultra running, hill walking, the lot. That was why my cardiac arrest was so unexpected. I’ve done as much as I can to embrace my new version of life, as I know it could have been much worse.
“What Pharmacy2U is doing is brilliant. It’s so important that people get the chance to check in on their heart health, as it really can happen to anyone. I’m glad my colleagues will get an opportunity to learn about their heart health, and I’m looking forward to hearing positive stories from workplaces across the country.”
For Pharmacy2U, the workplace offers a practical route into earlier detection, especially when health appointments can slip down the list during a busy week. The company is positioning the service as a digital-first model that reduces the need for people to step away from work in order to get an initial check.
Kevin Heath, CEO of Pharmacy2U, said: “When life gets busy, health checks are often the first thing to fall to the bottom of the to-do list. Bringing cardiovascular testing into the workplace makes it easier for people to access checks without taking extra time out of their day.
“We’ve worked with Royal Mail for over 25 years, so this gives us a chance to give back to one of our longest-standing partners, and the employees who deliver millions of prescriptions for us every year. We are proud to be rolling this out nationwide, to promote early detection and do our part in helping to improve the heart health of thousands of people across the UK.”
Fiona McAslan, Head of Wellbeing at Royal Mail, said: “Our people are the heart of our business, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to remove barriers that might be stopping people from prioritising their health. Workplace wellbeing is becoming increasingly important to our industry, and we know that our employees are always looking for ways to check in on their health.”
Employers can register their interest in joining the programme through Pharmacy2U’s Healthy Heart Programme page.
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