NHS health check from 40 - have you heard of it?

[jaabaar]

NHS invites people over 40 every 5 years to a health check?

Me and DH both over 40 and never heard of it....

Have you?

Have heard of it but have never been called for it.
I think it's basics like height weight cholesterol and bp.

We do these where I work. Well, we book them but they're done downstairs in the pharmacy. They do blood pressure, cholesterol etc

I'm a practice nurse and do these. Usually involves an appointment for fasting bloods to check liver, kidney function, cholesterol and blood sugar. Then a follow up to discuss results, do BP, weight etc and calculate risk of cardiovascular disease (stroke and heart attack) over next ten years. Looks to pick up people with a 20% or greater risk and treat appropriately.

Our surgery calls people in randomly. Contact your surgery.

That's interesting CP we don't do anything like that. We only have the CHD clinic and pre diabetes assessments that take blood etc. Do you think it depends on what area you're in or is this something they should all do?

I thought it was a national initiative. I know we get paid for it (explains why we're doing them!)

I had a bloodtest few weeks ago which was done as a general check as I have been unwell tired for a while.

I find it a pity that the only thing you get out of these tests is: no action required by the receptionist or please make an appointment.

It could have been used to discuss the general level of the results for example cholesterol and sugar, eg is it in the low range or on the border so that people are more aware and take preventative measures.

If I request gp to show me and discuss the results even though no action as such is required will they do so?

Jaabaar if it was borderline them they would have told you. Normal means it is within the normal range, so not slightly out.

You can request a copy of your blood results, as a receptionist I can print these off but just need the OK from a dr before I give them out, never usually a problem though.

I think if you asked for a drs appt to discuss normal blood results the answer is likely to be no (although it depends on your dr). Our surgery has no routine appointments until next year so unless you have a concern I would probably just book you in for a telephone consultation.

Sorry just saw you said you've been feeling unwell. I would say if you're still feeling unwell then go back and say so, just because the bloods don't show anything doesn't mean you're all better and I'm sure a dr would be happy to see you

DH and I are well over 40 and neither of us has been called for one. Maybe they don't have them in Scotland?

Yep. I had this done earlier in the year - height, weight, cholesterol, liver, kidney, bp - pretty much everything. I am somehow, at the age of (almost) 50 remarkably well
In fact the doctors receptionist, on giving me my cholesterol results, said 'I wish mine was that good'.
The years of smoking, drinking and taking many dodgy substances clearly served me well!

I had it done (was invited to make an appointment)
The lady told me it was the best result she'd ever seen preens self

We're doing them where I work.

We have to call all patients between 40 and ?70 or 75 (I forget as it's not me that's doing them) and as we have thousands of patients in that category it is a long list to work through!

Our HCA does them as us PNs don't have the capacity so of course it's going to take years to get through them.

You may well be invited in due course.

Yes I have had a letter. Not going because I will have to get on scales.

I’ve had one of these carried out by a health care assistant. I considered it a waste of time and resources.

She told me I was overweight and my cholesterol was too high, both of which I already knew. I pointed out that if they would treat my underactive thyroid, both these things would resolve. She had no idea of the connection, which rather concluded the conversation. Finally they are treating my thyroid and six months later I have lost nearly two stone, am no longer overweight and my cholesterol is back within normal limits.

To the poster who won’t go because she will have to get on the scales, I think you have proved my point. The people who respond to this summons will be the ones that take care of their health and the ‘worried well’, not the ones who know they’re going to get told off about their weight or their smoking or drinking habits.

I have just been called for one of these but I am nowhere near 40!

I would have liked to go as I'm just no feeling well for nearly two tears. I think it might be me having put on too much weight as they can't find anything with blood tests.

What I meant by discussing the tests which were done is: since I had full blood tests why can't they use those results to do the health check as well, eg weight, bp etc instead doing the whole thing again under the health check?

My husband didn't get invitation either we are both neatly 45.

Ah ok I understand. What I would do is, if you get invited for a health check, get a copy of your results to take in with you.

The health checks where I work are done by a pharmacist and they wouldn't have access to your records.

I agree RockinD - I had an invite a couple of years ago but didn't go as I have raised BP and I know I will just get a lecture to lose weight BUT my BMI is 23 (was less last time I got the lecture) and I don't actually want to lose weight and doubt it will make any difference.
Nothing else of use was offered last time (10 years ago) so I didn't book an appointment. Funnily enough I have been ill since then (breast cancer) and although I have had 2 ops and 6 months of chemo I can not get a GP appointment under any circumstances so I can see what they are prioritising!!!

I think it's a relatively new initiative, at least where I am. They are available where I work. It irritates me that they are only for over 40s though. Plus, if the health check highlights anything all they can do is recommend you see your GP who will have to test you again.

If my local surgery is taking part in this initiative, that would explain why it's almost impossible to get an appointment The waiting room is full of the "worried well".

You will find that different health authorities do different things. They will offer some pittance to GPs to do them and it really depends what each practice feels they can take on time wise. Remember all these routine tests take appointments away from all those who are known to have chronic diseases or are ill so not all practices are the same and there is no evidence to suggest these screening tests are cost effective. (Remember cash strapped NHS) I am in Scotland so a different system but you will find it varies.

My doctor mentioned it to me once at a checkup but it was completely down to me to remember to book an appointment. Mine was done by a healthcare assistant who went through the results with me and gave me the detailed report. I then was able to see the GP as one of the results needed explaining more. They said I can have another next year if I want it. I was very impressed (even though it was down to me to remember to book it and that if my GP hadn't mentioned in passing I'd never have known about it!).

I recieved and invitation for this.

It consists of no more than has been done for my pill check up for years (which is always fine). I have just had a more thorough cholesterol test (which was fine) so not necessary.

They will go through the computer list of diet, alcohol units and who died of what (again)

I already know my height, weight and ethnicity.

Pointless.