GP patients told: Bring your own batteries for blood pressure check!

FAMILY doctors have asked patients to bring their own AA batteries when they have their blood pressure or heart checked.

- Sean McPolin

Marden Medical Centre in Kent texted the request - even specifying a favoured brand - in a bid to cut costs and be greener.

The message read: "This is a reminder of your appointment which is booked.

"If you have booked a 24hr Blood Pressure or 24hr ECG appointment only, please bring two AA Duracell batteries for the machine." It costs around £4 for a pack of four Duracell AA batteries.

Convenient

A spokesman at the medical centre, near Maidstone, said: "Our 24-hour electrocardiogram (ECG) recording machine is an additional service we provide, having been donated by fundraising efforts of the Friends of Marden Medical Centre.