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Original poster

To think the NHS Health Check (for over 40s) can be done at home?

87 replies

Usedphone · 03/12/2024 12:03

I just had that health check done and it was a total waste of time!

The nurse told me that my BMI would skew everything (and that it was due to my muscle mass), she just ticked some boxes, added some data, took my blood pressure and then told me I was low risk and that I should ignore the other advice.

She was also surprised when I told her I was not white! (Which I'm.not but I know I can be white passing).

It would have been quicker to just go in, take my booo pressure and do the rest from my phone. Would have had exactly the same result, and no waste of resources!

OP posts:
fivebyfivebuffy · 03/12/2024 12:23

To be fair I've had my BP done, I have full bloods every 12 weeks etc so I'm not too high up the priority list given im at the doctors almost monthly anyway!

TheYearOfSmallThings · 03/12/2024 12:16

fivebyfivebuffy · 03/12/2024 12:10

Are you meant to get invited to one? I'm nearly 41 and never had any check

You should definitely get contacted and encouraged to attend.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 03/12/2024 12:16

It is literally just a box ticking exercise to meet a target, and they can also use it to encourage you to lose weight (box ticked) stop smoking (box ticked) and get a smear test (box ticked). Our 40+ test doesn't include a cholesterol check, and any woman on birth control has to get her BP checked (probably at the pharmacy) anyway.

In fairness research shows that having a doctor tell you to stop smoking results in a better quit rate than nothing. I'm just not sure a bored nurse with a checklist of extremely basic questions will have the same effect, and it continues to bug me that surgeries have endless resources for all the stuff we are not asking for, but no GP appointments ever.

TipsyKoala · 03/12/2024 12:13

fivebyfivebuffy · 03/12/2024 12:10

Are you meant to get invited to one? I'm nearly 41 and never had any check

I was never invited but I knew about it so asked for one.

stargirl1701 · 03/12/2024 12:12

Is this UK wide or just NHS England?

Original poster
Usedphone · 03/12/2024 12:11

fivebyfivebuffy · 03/12/2024 12:10

Are you meant to get invited to one? I'm nearly 41 and never had any check

Yes, I got a text from my surgery

OP posts:
cardibach · 03/12/2024 12:11

I’m 60 and yet to be invited for one…

lostoldname · 03/12/2024 12:11

There is going to be a limited trial (only a few areas) of health checks at home for people with blood pressure monitors or who can get to a pharmacy. A finger prick test will be sent.

the checks are really important. Lots of people don’t realize that they have high blood pressure. Please take it up if offered by your GP

fivebyfivebuffy · 03/12/2024 12:10

Are you meant to get invited to one? I'm nearly 41 and never had any check

Stretchedresources · 03/12/2024 12:09

I had a finger prick test too.

Original poster
Usedphone · 03/12/2024 12:08

TipsyKoala · 03/12/2024 12:06

But they do a finger prick to check blood glucose and cholesterol too don't they? They did in mine, although they rushed it so much I felt like they were just trying to get it done and me out the door.

No they didn't do either! They've tested my cholesterol in the summer and maybe my glucose (that I'm not sure) the nurse just used those values!

OP posts:
TipsyKoala · 03/12/2024 12:06

But they do a finger prick to check blood glucose and cholesterol too don't they? They did in mine, although they rushed it so much I felt like they were just trying to get it done and me out the door.