The venue for today’s free health screenings has changed to the Victoria Street Clinic car park in Hamilton.

The screenings, which were due to be held at EF Gordon Square but were relocated owing to scheduling concerns, will now take place in a shaded area of the car park from 4pm to 7.30pm.

Their aim is to help identify those at risk of chronic and non-communicable diseases.

The Department of Health launched the visits as part of its Taking it to the Streets series, which have been held at Woody’s in Somerset and Heron Bay MarketPlace in Southampton.

Some 63 people were seen at those screenings, of which 42 were called back for follow-up care as they were at risk from hypertension, obesity and diabetes.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “The numbers are proving the need to meet the community where they are to provide access to free healthcare. Early screening allows persons to seek medical care and address health issues before they escalate.”

Chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension are described as “silent killers” because they exhibit no symptoms. Screening is an important tool for testing and early detection before symptoms develop and become debilitating.

The last in the series will be held from 4pm to 7.30pm on Friday, September 28 at King’s Square, St George’s.

The screenings include: monitoring blood sugar, assessing cardiac risk profile, monitoring blood pressure, monitoring weight and other health education.

Victoria Street Clinic is located at 67 Victoria Street, Hamilton.