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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:
catsonahottinroof · 03/01/2023 20:00

But it's the nurses doing nearly everything! I'm not saying these checks shouldn't be done at all but generally people know if they're overweight and blood pressure checks can be done at a pharmacy.

Menora · 03/01/2023 20:01

They get paid extra to do health checks so if they don’t do them, they don’t get the money.

Ihavedogs · 03/01/2023 20:18

catsonahottinroof · 03/01/2023 20:00

But it's the nurses doing nearly everything! I'm not saying these checks shouldn't be done at all but generally people know if they're overweight and blood pressure checks can be done at a pharmacy.

Mine wasn’t undertaken by a nurse. I knew what my weight, BP etc was, but had no way of knowing what my cholesterol level was as it had never been tested. Whilst the check can be helpful for a lot of individuals, they also gather lots of data for public health. The checks in our area are commissioned by the county council public health team and are contracted out.

Whycanineverever · 03/01/2023 20:21

I got invited at 40 then when I got round to booking they had discontinued them. Then I got another invite few years later.

I have had one just a couple of months ago. Basically height weight, few blood tests. It looks at diabetes and heart disease risk.

Dogsgottabone · 03/01/2023 20:26

All my mum friends and DH got their invite 5 yrs ago but I didnt. So I asked for one last year at 44, bloods I was able to book on the app for the same day and GP ran through the results when I went in for something else the following week. I was most interested in my cholesterol.

JanesSadLittleLife · 03/01/2023 20:29

I was invited for one at 45, it was really useful. Hoped I'd have another at 50 but no invite yet, unsurprisingly - I might just call and ask for the standard blood screening?

I'm more interested in being invited for a mammogram!

MarshaBradyo · 03/01/2023 20:32

Yes early 40s and late 40s no idea if it was meant to be twice - there wasn’t anything wrong

eatdrinkandbemerry · 03/01/2023 20:36

Round my way it's age 50 and they send an invitation 🤣
My partner has just had his 🤷‍♀️

AdventFridgeOfShame · 03/01/2023 20:39

Women are less likely to be called in. We get contraceptives and so on, so are at least on the doctors radar. Our husbands are at greater risk, they may not have seen a HCP for a decade.

mamabear715 · 03/01/2023 20:43

Oh, please go if you are invited - my GP's keep an eye on my liver, I'm pre-diabetic, & am now on statins due to high cholesterol. All from being invited for an MOT.
I don't drink, don't eat much sweet stuff, it's just taking responsibility for our own health - better than a sudden heart attack or stroke & being in an ambulance for ten hours outside A&E, surely?
I also have arthritis, & went to the physio to get exercise sheets - imagine the cost to the NHS of a new hip, as well as the physical & emotional cost to me personally.
I had smear tests until I reached a certain age where you're not called any more, I have regular mammograms, & do the poo tests when sent.
I hope any doctors or nurses here agree - it's down to us too!

Gotsomepegsdave · 03/01/2023 20:46

GP surgeries get paid a premium for offering these so don’t worry about wasting time they are inviting you so they get the extra money! It is from 40-75 so you won’t automatically get invited at 40 they are inviting a span of people in that age group. If you want one and haven’t been called then you can call and ask but it may be that they just haven’t got round to inviting you yet.
also you will not be invited if you have nanny long term conditions these are for “healthy” people to check for those silent killers like high bp, cholesterol and diabetes.

Whiskyinajar · 03/01/2023 20:49

It seems to vary from area to area. In my area there are huge issues with staffing so the focus is on health checks for those with learning disabilities, serious MH issues etc.

They have contracted out everything else. A community interest company does all the others.

I get a yearly check as I am diabetic albeit in remission.

Oblomov22 · 03/01/2023 20:54

Never heard of this. What tests do they do?

InfinityOrUndefined · 03/01/2023 20:57

I had my when I was 40. I have yearly check because of my mentall health diagnosis. I need to get my bp measured at pharmacy and send the results. Whole check in on phone with pharmacist.

RaininSummer · 03/01/2023 20:57

I was invited for one around 57 and never before or since.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 03/01/2023 20:59

I've seen this twice now. I never received anything. I got asked if I wanted to take part in some voluntary thing but not a health check.

Thinkbiglittleone · 03/01/2023 21:01

Yes I was invited for mine.
It just tells you if you are overweight, if so loose weight. If you smoke, stop. If you drink too much, don't.

Tells you how likely you are to have a health condition in the next 10 years

Oh and blood pressure.

Theoriginalinvisiblewoman · 03/01/2023 21:02

Yes, my DH went when he was invited aged 40 and I was also invited last year when I turned 40. My DH had a text today from our GP surgery, asking him to make an appointment to have his blood pressure checked because it’s been 5 years since his over 40’s health check, which surprised me, given how hard it is to get an appointment at the moment when you’re sick, let alone for routine check ups 🤷🏻‍♀️

Dixiechickonhols · 03/01/2023 21:39

I wasn’t invited just went it was a drop in at a garden centre run by a local pharmacy. They were offering them alongside flu jab recently too. Just check who is running them near you and go.

Dixiechickonhols · 03/01/2023 21:41

Oblomov22 · 03/01/2023 20:54

Never heard of this. What tests do they do?

Weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, general lifestyle/family health history questions.

RocketMummy86 · 03/01/2023 21:52

The overs 40s check is for anyone who does not have a pre existing condition. If you have hypertension, asthma, diabetes etc you should be invited for a yearly long term condition review instead. They are every 5years. If you think you are eligible but have not had an invite ring your surgery (afternoon is better) and they can check on their system. These are sent out automatically by NHS England not the surgery (I work in a surgery)

User1785498 · 03/01/2023 22:05

I got an invite about a year ago, I'm in my 60s, probably because I haven't been to the GP for years, it looked similar to ones I have had through work so I didn't bother with it. Reading this thread it does sound the same as work ones I have had.

PurpleFlower1983 · 03/01/2023 22:08

Yes it happens in our area.

anyolddinosaur · 03/01/2023 22:14

Once you get past 50 you are unlikely to be getting contraceptives. My husband and I once had similar symptoms - he got every check going, I got it's just your age, not a single test.

Hbh17 · 03/01/2023 22:22

I haven't seen any kind of doctor for 12 years; I haven't seen a GP for nearly 20 years. I'm fine & I don't need a check. I would rather that medical staff spent their time looking after people who are actually ill. And at the age I am now, if I suddenly drop dead then it would be both unsurprising and not a big deal!

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