Health check success - have you had yours?
Almost 90,000 Brummies have attended a potentially life-saving health ‘MOT’ in the last three years as the city continues to lead the way on NHS Health Checks.
The take-up of the free checks to identify the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease, is higher in Birmingham than in most other parts of the country.
Figures for 2013 onwards show that Birmingham has out-performed the regional and national average for the checks, which are offered to people aged between 40 and 74 years.
- 63.66 per cent of eligible people in the city have been invited to attend for an NHS Health Check since 2013. This compares to 47.52 per cent nationally.
- An impressive 53.65 per cent of people accepted the offer of an NHS Health Check compared to 48.15 per cent nationally.
That means that 85,289 people across Birmingham have now attended an NHS Health Check to assess their risk of developing conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Everyone attending received lifestyle advice.
Director of Public Health, Dr Adrian Phillips, said: “The continued success of the NHS Health Check scheme in Birmingham is very encouraging. Our city has higher than average smoking and obesity rates, residents have poorer diets, exercise less and consume more harmful levels of alcohol than other parts of the UK.
“But through the NHS Health Check programme, thousands of people in Birmingham have been offered practical advice to reduce the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, stroke and certain types of dementia.
“There are still many eligible people who have not yet taken up the offer and my advice to them would be to speak to their GP as soon as possible.”
NHS Health Check and you
The NHS Health Check is for adults in England between the ages of 40 and 74. It will give you and your GP a clearer picture of your health, and help you take action to reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease.
Why do I need an NHS Health Check?
Everyone has a chance of developing heart disease, stroke, kidney disease or type 2 diabetes. NHS Health Check will help you and your GP or health professional to identify your risk earlier. You’ll then be given advice on what action you can take to lower your risk and improve your chances of a healthier life. For example, making changes to your diet or becoming more active.
How do I get an NHS Health Check?
From April 2013, responsibility for the NHS Health Check programme moved to your local authority, which will invite anyone who is eligible to have a check over a five-year rolling cycle. That means everyone aged between 40 and 74 who hasn’t already been diagnosed with any of the conditions mentioned above will be invited for an NHS Health Check.
The check is likely to be offered in GP surgeries and local pharmacies. They may also be offered at other suitable and accessible locations in your community.
In the meantime, if you’re worried about your health, don’t wait for your NHS Health Check. Contact your GP in the usual way.
What happens at my NHS Health Check?
A few, straightforward health tests, followed by a discussion of your results.
What happens after my check?
Following your first check, you’ll be invited for another check every five years until you’re over 74. If you’re diagnosed with heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or have a stroke after your first or any subsequent NHS Health Check, your condition will be managed as usual and there will be no need for further checks. If your GP offers you any medical treatments after your NHS Health Check, such as medicines to lower your blood pressure, your progress on those medicines will be monitored by your GP.
