Page 2 | NHS health check invitation

iminapickleofhoarding · 2023-01-03T17:37:31+00:00

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

cptartapp · 03/01/2023 18:35

I do these sometimes although at the minute they are low priority due to the chaos that is primary care.
It's height, weight, BP (you can do all that yourself tbh) but importantly a set of routine bloods to check cholesterol, blood glucose etc. Thats worth doing if you haven't had checked before. It is basically screening your cardiovascular health, looking at the risk factors, calculating your risk of stroke/heart attack over next ten years and offering statins to those deemed at risk. Plus a lifestyle chat which is usually telling people things they already know.
Just ask for one if you haven't been invited.

RhinestoneCowgirl · 03/01/2023 18:36

Both DH and I had an invitation to a health check shortly after our respective 40th birthdays (we are now mid 40s so was a few years ago).

I went to mine and DH ignored his as he thought they'd tell him he was overweight (which he is a bit). Mine was done by the nurse and involved a blood pressure check, cholesterol check and some chat about diet, booze/smoking and exercise.

Thorilicious · 03/01/2023 18:37

I've literally had mine this afternoon! Quick check of BP, weight and measurements, and I'm booked in for a blood test next week.

Nosecamera · 03/01/2023 18:39

Apparently I should have had one but covid. It would jave been a few years post 40 anyway.
I have needed various tests recently and they have all be quick and available because they meet the over 40 health check criteria.

Cuwins · 03/01/2023 18:42

My mum had one recently but I think as previous posters said organised by the council. Certainly it was in a council building.
She is over 60 though

Spanielsarepainless · 03/01/2023 18:44

I didn't get invited till I was 58. I haven't taken it up yet.

Hbh17 · 03/01/2023 18:47

I'm much older than 40 and don't think I have ever been invited. But, to be fair, if it came through the post I probably would just have binned it - I have no intention of wasting my time on any unnecessary checks, scans etc

cptartapp · 03/01/2023 18:51

Hbh17 · 03/01/2023 18:47

I'm much older than 40 and don't think I have ever been invited. But, to be fair, if it came through the post I probably would just have binned it - I have no intention of wasting my time on any unnecessary checks, scans etc

I would say for every ten checks I do there are issues found with two or three people. Supposedly fit and healthy 40 somethings with high BP, high cholesterol, pre diabetes etc. Many don't like the fact, particularly 'sporty' men of a certain age, but the bloods and BP alone are definitely worth doing.

Ihavedogs · 03/01/2023 18:53

Hbh17 · 03/01/2023 18:47

I'm much older than 40 and don't think I have ever been invited. But, to be fair, if it came through the post I probably would just have binned it - I have no intention of wasting my time on any unnecessary checks, scans etc

You don’t have scans. It is a very simple check. I went only for the cholesterol test as I had never had one before and I am at the age where people start to find they have high cholesterol, so it was worth going just for that. I already knew my weight, height, blood pressure etc and all are fine, so those checks were of no benefit to me.

bigbluebus · 03/01/2023 18:54

I'm nearly 59 and have only ever had one - 7 years ago. I wasn't sent an invitation. I was already in the nurses room with DD who was having her flu jab when the nurse asked if I was having mine too. She called up my records, remarked on the lack of health check, took an arm full of blood, gave me my flu jab and told me to make an appointment to come back in 3 weeks for the rest of the checks. All was fine but over 5 years have passed and I haven't requested a repeat as I very much doubt it's a priority (fir them) right now!

DH is 61 and he's only had one check up too.

Itchintobestitchin · 03/01/2023 19:06

I'm in my late 50s and I've never had one. In my mid 40s, at a GP appointment for something else, the doctor unexpectedly decided to weigh me and measure my height because it had "never been done". I hope that wasn't it.

HappyTalkingTalkingHappyTalk · 03/01/2023 19:11

Not all surgeries offer them. We do, but it does depend on your area, some pharmacies offer them too.
Lloyds pharmacy do their own one for £25.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/nhs-health-check/

lljkk · 03/01/2023 19:12

yes been invited & so has DH & we had them earlier this yr (2nd one for DH)

AdventFridgeOfShame · 03/01/2023 19:13

56 managed to go six years not having seen a doctor. Never had a health check.
One of my friends had one at 65, as a former nurse she was impressed at how few things they checked.

JessicaBrassica · 03/01/2023 19:16

I was invited for my over 40 check the week before my 45th birthday! I'm assuming the next invitation will arrive with my 50th birthday cards!

SuspiciousFinds · 03/01/2023 19:16

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.

Can you imagine even trying to get an appointment for that? It's actually laughable!

Hard enough to get an appointment for suspected sepsis let alone asking my GP's permission to go for a jog.

UnicornMumcraft · 03/01/2023 19:17

My husband got invited to one, I didn’t as I have a long term condition that is (well should be) monitored which makes me ineligible for the standard one.

XenoBitch · 03/01/2023 19:17

Nope, never been invited. The website for my surgery even says they invite people!

NetballHoop · 03/01/2023 19:18

Nothing in my forties, but I have just been sent a kit asking me to post them some poo.

MotherOfCatBoy · 03/01/2023 19:20

Never by GP surgery. Was lucky enough in a past life to have private medical with work which offered a v thorough MOT every 2/3 years so always took those. However was recently pulled in by GP surgery (after moving to new one after old one closed down) for an annual HRT check, which was good and nurse also took BP, height, weight (but no bloods) and have me my flu jab there & then as I asked for it (over 50).
might ask for a check when I get to 55.

Greyingmumto3 · 03/01/2023 19:27

I recently had my over 40 check after being invited. I’m 46
was just a check of blood pressure, height , weight and some general lifestyle questions . Was asked to have a blood test but I had one a few months before .

catsonahottinroof · 03/01/2023 19:28

I've never been invited for one - the thing which bothers me is the way GPs push certain things (screening tests, vaccinations etc) even though they won't see many very ill people. What would annoy me at the moment is considering how difficult it is to actually see a GP in person now, or even get a phonecall, is if all of a sudden they wanted to see me for some fairly unnecessary screening thing.
In reality, I wouldn't want to go to one anyway as I doubt they would tell me anything I didn't already know. Eg it would likely be with a nurse practitioner weighing, measuring blood pressure, maybe doing some basic blood tests. Anyone worried about their health during covid has most likely had to resort to paying privately for these things anyway.

anyolddinosaur · 03/01/2023 19:29

I think I was asked once, ignored it and they've never tried again. My gp does the bare minimum they can get away with if you are female. Perhaps I should identify as male.

cptartapp · 03/01/2023 19:37

catsonahottinroof · 03/01/2023 19:28

I've never been invited for one - the thing which bothers me is the way GPs push certain things (screening tests, vaccinations etc) even though they won't see many very ill people. What would annoy me at the moment is considering how difficult it is to actually see a GP in person now, or even get a phonecall, is if all of a sudden they wanted to see me for some fairly unnecessary screening thing.
In reality, I wouldn't want to go to one anyway as I doubt they would tell me anything I didn't already know. Eg it would likely be with a nurse practitioner weighing, measuring blood pressure, maybe doing some basic blood tests. Anyone worried about their health during covid has most likely had to resort to paying privately for these things anyway.

But it's the nurses doing them. Not the GP's. And the practice gets paid for them which enables them to put the lights on, heat the building and pay staff wages.
Most of those for whom worrying issues are picked up are completely asymptomatic.

marypoppinsreturns · 03/01/2023 19:43

I'm 48 and never been invited for one.