The NHS Health Check is a check-up for adults in England aged 40 to 74. It can help spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia.
From 1 April 2024 NHS Health Checks began to be targeted at the following 3 groups:
- Eligible people never previously invited
- Eligible people previously invited but who have not taken up the offer
- People identified at a previous health check as being at increased risk, who remain eligible for a health check.
All patients can still ask their practice for a check if they are eligible.
While NHS Health Checks are provided by Calderdale GP practices, they are supported by Pennine GP Alliance who are responsible for inviting eligible patients and reporting on uptake to Public Health England.
There is more information on the NHS Health Check on the NHS Choices website. NHS Health Check – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
NHS Workplace Health Checks
PGPA are leading a programme of NHS Workplace Health Checks, free to employees of businesses across Calderdale.
This vital initiative, aimed at improving the health and well-being of the local workforce, will provide employees with a comprehensive health check at no cost to them or their employers.
The workplace health checks are available to all employees, with different eligibility based on age. Employees aged 18-24 receive a “mini check”, which does not include cholesterol and diabetes testing whereas those aged 25 and over are eligible for the full health check.
By bringing this service directly to the workplace, Pennine GP Alliance are making it more accessible for employees who may not have time to visit their GP. Employers can contribute to a healthier, happier workforce, resulting in increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, and a positive workplace culture.
More information can be found in the news section of this website here: FREE NHS Workplace Health Checks for Employees of businesses across Calderdale
NHS Health Checks – A Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Project targeting South Asian patients
PGPA are leading a pilot project in Central Halifax, to increase the uptake of health checks specifically for eligible South Asian patients.
This was initiated because there is a large south Asian population living in Central Halifax and many patients from this community were not engaging in their regular NHS health check. What’s concerning is that South Asian patients face a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (heart disease), and this is one of the conditions that the NHS Health Check is designed to spot early.
Instead of an invitation letter, South Asian patients who are eligible for an NHS health check are contacted via telephone by a Care Coordinator who can discuss the importance of a health check, make an appointment at their GP practice and identify if any reasonable adjustments need to be made.
Importantly, PGPA have ensured that bilingual Care Coordinators deliver the Health Checks to address any language barriers.
NHS Health Checks – A project targeting patients with Anxiety and/or Depression
PGPA are leading a project to increase the uptake of health checks specifically for eligible patients who have received/are receiving support for anxiety and/or depression.
This was first initiated because those with a more common mental illness like anxiety and/or depression have behavioural l risk factors that can contribute to increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (heart disease), which is a condition the NHS Health Check can spot early.
Other national evidence also suggests that people with poor metal health are more likely to be obese, to smoke, to be physically inactive and to drink unsafe levels of alcohol than the general population.
To support this work, PGPA have employed an NHS Health Checks Care Coordinator dedicated to identifying these patients and contacting them to discuss the importance of a health check, make an appointment at their GP practice and assess if any reasonable adjustments need to be made.
People with a serious mental illness (SMI), such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and psychosis also have a significantly higher risk of heart disease, however these patients will be on the SMI register and so already receive an annual physical health check.
Local data shows that eligible people with a diagnosed mental illness (SMI or common mental illness) are less likely to attend for an NHS Health Check/annual physical check than those without a mental illness following the routine letter invitation process.