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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

NHS health check invitation

108 replies

iminapickleofhoarding · 03/01/2023 17:37

Well I’ve just seen someone say that at 40 you should get an invitation for a health check. I’m 45 and never had anything like this. My GP is a waste of space and I’m lucky nothing has been really wrong with me because i am pretty sure it would be overlooked! Have all other 40+ on here had this invitation?
YABU = Yes
YANBU = No

OP posts:
RobbinBanksy · 03/01/2023 17:38

are you mad? has the state of the NHS bypassed you?

MargieReen · 03/01/2023 17:38

Have always just assumed this is something you read about but never actually happens, like people consulting their doctor before beginning an exercise programme.

AnnoyedByAlfieBear · 03/01/2023 17:39

I was invited for one. I turned up to the appointment and their IT was down so they couldn't do it. They took my name and number to arrange another one and I never heard anything again.

Parky04 · 03/01/2023 17:40

Yes, I had an health check up when I was 40. Haven't had one since, and I'm now 52.

Dahlia444 · 03/01/2023 17:41

I was invited by GP for a 40 health check and a 45 health check which was a couple of months ago. To be fair my GP practice is ace.

Floralnomad · 03/01/2023 17:42

I think the only time we’ve been invited for anything is when we’ve moved to a new GP .

FabFitFifties · 03/01/2023 17:43

I'm 53 - never been invited for a heath check.

MaggieFS · 03/01/2023 17:44

There are two surgeries in one building where I am. There was a sign saying please book for one, but it turned out that it only applied to the other surgery when I asked the receptionist to book one 🤷‍♀️

PrincessW11 · 03/01/2023 17:44

Bizarrely(mid-50s)I received an invite before Xmas, booked it with practice nurse and she did medical history, weight, height,BP/pulse and finger prick blood tests(random blood glucose,blood count, lipid/cholesterol)

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 03/01/2023 17:45

Get an annual one (68) but only because I'm on BP medication.

okayah · 03/01/2023 17:45

I'm be recently moved areas and therefore GP surgery and I was invited for a health check (I'm 41)
It involved a blood test and 2 weeks later a chat with a HP, it has brought up high cholesterol and BP...things I don't check myself at home and I rarely make apps, just power thru.
Ask your GP for one?

FelicityBennett · 03/01/2023 17:47

In some areas this is no longer contracted with your GP and may be offered by council etc
if you Google over 40 check and type in your area it should tell you where you can book this if you want

AmyDudley · 03/01/2023 17:47

I had one at forty - but that was over 20 years ago. IIRC it was just a blood test and BP check and maybe a chat about healthy living. I've actually just had another one at 63 and been told I'll get an MOT every year now (I'm on a few meds so maybe it is to do with that or with being over 60 I don't know)
But if you want one, I would just ask.
I've just googles and you are supposed to get one every 5 years from 40 onwards (I've only had the 2 since being 40) I suspect it it one of those things you have to badger for.
I also got a random invitation for a colonoscopy when I was 55 I think - but that might have just been a local health authority thing.

simbobs · 03/01/2023 17:49

Yes, I got one at 45, then another 5 years later. It was with a nurse and seemed to be aimed at assessing cardiovascular health rather than everything. They did height, weight, family history and blood test, followed up with a chat. Just ask.

BogRollBOGOF · 03/01/2023 17:50

DH had one at 40 some years ago. I haven't. Same practice.

I was chased up for an overdue smear test that was due in April 2020 so the GPs have caught up on some services.

Fireyflies · 03/01/2023 17:50

I was never invited for one but when I got to about 44 contacted them to ask if I should have been and they booked me in. Haven't been invited for another one and reluctant to chase given how much they're failing at everything right now. DH has a liver condition picked up via a routine health check though meaning he got on medication for it and it's completely stable, hopefully forever with no symptoms. Was talking to someone recently whose wife died from that same condition, presumably not diagnosed until much further progressed. So I do see the value in routine checks.

Changingmynameyetagain · 03/01/2023 17:50

I had the invitation but didn’t end up booking it, I turned 40 in 2020 and then covid happened so I’ve never bothered chasing it up.
DH had his in 2019 and it was basically a few blood tests, BP check and a chat with the nurse.

BananaBlue · 03/01/2023 17:50

I’m 42 and got an invitation last week to book a 40 health check.

I haven’t bothered to book yet, I imagine they have better things to do so I won’t clog up an appointment.

Jingleoverthatway · 03/01/2023 17:52

No, not had an invite (I'm 41). Last spoke to a Dr about me just after I had a baby two years ago!

Quisto · 03/01/2023 18:03

I'm mid fifties. Just had an invitation to go to the surgery, give myself a BP test on their machine and hand the results in to the receptionist.

NeverTrustASmilingCat · 03/01/2023 18:04

I didn't get an invitation, but I asked about it when I was 45. I had some checks and now am on meds for high blood pressure

SharksInTheTea · 03/01/2023 18:05

I'm 42 and wasn't invited for one. I am not I know anime who has been?

Ihavedogs · 03/01/2023 18:26

I had one in the summer. I am way past the youngest age they are offered to. They are now generally organised by county councils on behalf of NHS. Mine took place at a local library. I went to have a cholesterol test as I have never had one before.

DottieUncBab · 03/01/2023 18:28

My mum was invited to one at 55 and then another one at 60. I think prior to that she maybe had a health check for breast cancer and that was it.

That said my dad is 57 now and not been invited to one at 55 like my mum.

It all seems a bit random but I’ve not heard of having one at 40.

Stardustkid · 03/01/2023 18:30

I had one at 40 and one at 45, but they tended to be when I was getting investigated for other things ie menopause