NHS Health Checks
An NHS Health Check provides a free opportunity to review your current health status and get advice on keeping yourself healthy and active. In particular, it can indicate whether you are at higher risk of certain diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and stroke.
If you're aged 40 to 74, and don't have a pre-existing health condition, you'll receive a letter from your GP or local authority inviting you for a free check every 5 years.
What to expect
Your appointment will include general health questions about your family history and lifestyle as well as simple investigations.
These may include:
- blood pressure
- height and weight
- a small finger prick test to check your blood cholesterol.
Following this, you will be given a cardiovascular risk score and personalised advice based on your results.
This can provide a great opportunity to review your current lifestyle and consider what changes you may be able to make to improve your health.
Further information can be found on the NHS Health Check website.
Where to get one
Most people will get an invite from their GP and will book in with the practice nurse or another healthcare professional at the surgery. However, some people may not be offered this service by their GP, or might want to have a check somewhere more convenient to them.
Some health checks are run locally in supermarkets, high streets, pubs and other community venues.
- Find out where you can get a local heath check on the KCHFT website
- Fill in our referral form and someone will get in touch with you
- Call 03001 23 12 20 (option 4) to find a clinic near you.
Free blood pressure checks
Measuring your blood pressure is a simple and quick process but taking steps to ensure it is within the ‘normal’ range could save your life. High blood pressure can increase your risk of conditions such as heart attacks and strokes. Low blood pressure can increase your risk of conditions such as fainting and risk of falling.
You can check your blood pressure at home with a home blood pressure monitor or some pharmacies offer free blood pressure checks. Find your nearest participating pharmacy.
You can find further information on blood pressure on the NHS website.
Workplace health checks
We are excited to announce the start of a new countywide initiative that provides health checks within the workplace.
Visit our workplace health check page for further details on this exciting opportunity and how to sign up your workplace and promote good employee wellbeing.