Health

What is an NHS Health Check?

The NHS Health Check is a health check-up for adults in England aged 40-74. It's designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia. As we get older, we have a higher risk of developing one of these conditions. An NHS Health Check helps find ways to lower this risk.

How do I get an NHS Health Check?

If you're in the 40-74 age group without a pre-existing condition, you can expect to receive a letter from your GP or local authority inviting you for a free NHS Health Check every five years. In the meantime, you may want to try this online Heart Age test.

Taking those first steps towards a healthier lifestyle is not always easy, despite the positive impact it has on your health. Moving more, eating well and sleeping well helps to protect you and keep you healthy during the winter months.

To help and support you make some small positive changes to your lifestyle, Healthy You offer a free service for residents across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Their free services include, but are not limited to:

• Adult Weight Management
• NHS Health Checks
• Stop Smoking Services
• Falls prevention
• Health Trainer Service (with focused support for Alcohol Reduction, Diabetes and Mental Health)

Healthy You can support you to make those small changes and create achievable goals to help you improve your health and wellbeing. We will provide you with the tools, encouragement and motivational support every step of the way.

For more information on our range of FREE Services:

Text: HEALTHYU to 60777

Call: 0333 005 0093

Or visit the Healthy You website for further information and to self-refer into any of the above services.

Eat well to stay healthy

There are benefits for everyone if we stay fit and healthy. Healthy people tend to have a better quality of life, have more independence, are able to make more of their own choices and have better life chances.

Eight tips for healthy eating

• Base your meals on starchy carbohydrates (potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and cereals)
• Eat lots of fruit and vegetables
• Eat more fish - including a portion of oily fish
• Cut down on saturated fat and sugar
• Don't get thirsty
• Don't skip breakfast

More information can be found on the NHS website.

What is an Annual Health Check?

The Annual Health Check scheme is a free, yearly appointment with your doctor (GP) or Practice Nurse, usually near to where you live. In this appointment your doctor or nurse will ask you questions about how you keep yourself well and whether you need any extra help with this. With your consent they will also check your physical health such as your weight, heart rate and blood pressure. They may ask for a urine sample or a blood test and will also look at any medication that you take to make sure that this is still right for you.

The Annual Health Check is a really good time to ask your GP or nurse any questions or worries that you may have about your health.

Who can have one?

Anyone aged 14 and over who has a learning disability is entitled to have an Annual Health Check. You must be on your GP’s ‘Learning Disability Register’ to get an invite through the post. You can check with your GP if your name is on the register and ask to be added if your name is not on there already.

Why do I need an Annual Health Check?

It is important to stay well and look after yourself and be healthy.

Sometimes adults who have a learning disability have poorer physical and mental health than other people, but this shouldn’t always be the case.

Most health problems are simple to treat once you know about them. Your GP can help stop you getting a serious health condition. This is better than waiting until you're ill. Most people have their health check when they are feeling well.

The doctor or nurse can help you to plan how to keep being healthy and can give you information and advice about different things such as diet and exercise.

Do I have to have an Annual Health Check?

No, the Annual Health Check is voluntary so you can choose whether or not to have one.

More information about Annual Health Checks can be found on the NHS website.

About the NHS app

Owned and run by the NHS, the NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet.

The NHS App is available now on iOS and Android. To use it you must be aged 13 and over and registered with a GP surgery in England.

Find out more here.

All veterans, service leavers, non-mobilised reservists and their family members and carers can access a range of specialist healthcare and support created to provide treatment and care for many different problems.

You can find out more on NHS.UK

Information is also available on the Armed Forces Covenant webpage.