NHS Bath & North East Somerset - Health Checks
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Working together for health & wellbeing

The Health and wellbeing partnership conprises NHS Bath and North east Somerset (NHS banes PCT) and Bath and North East Somerset (banes) Council working together in partnership.

Health Checks

 

Free NHS Health Checks

Helping you prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease. 

 

Everyone is at risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes or kidney disease. The good news is that these conditions can often be prevented- even if you have a history of them in your family. Have your free NHS Health Check and you will be better prepared for the future and be able to take steps to maintain or improve your health.

 

Why do I need an NHS Health Check?

We know that your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease increases with age. There are also certain things that will put you at even greater risk- such as being overweight, lack of exercise, smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The good news it that many of these risk factors for vascular disease, such as smoking, are amenable to change, and an outcome for many people having a Health Check will be advice about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep these risk factors at health levels.

 

An NHS Health Check helps to identify potential risks early. By having this check and following the advice of your health professional, you improve your chances of living a healthier life. Appropriate advice or referrals will be offered.

What happens at the check?

People aged between 40 and 74, who are not currently being treated for vascular disease, will be invited to attend their local GP surgery for a short assessment lasting 20-30 minutes. You'll be asked simple questions about family history and any current medication you are taking. You'll also have your height, weight, age, sex, ethnicity and blood pressure recorded, as well as a simple blood test to check your cholesterol level.

 

 

What happens after the check?

Once the results are obtained, a 10 year risk of developing cardiovascular disease will be calculated. You'll be given personalised advice on how to lower your risk and maintain a healthy lifestyle. You may be asked to return for further tests for those who appear at higher risk. Treatment or medication may be prescribed to help maintain good health.

 

 

 

Why provide Health Checks?

The Department of Health suggest that nationally the Health Checks programme could on average prevent 1,600 heart attacks and strokes and at least 650 lives each year. The programme could also prevent 4,000 people a year from developing diabetes and detect at least 20,000 cases of diabetes or kidney disease earlier, allowing individuals to be better managed and improve their quality of life.

 

 

 

Health Checks in Bath & North East Somerset

NHS Bath & North East Somerset is committed to starting this programme from April 2010. This will be followed by a staggered roll out to people across the whole age range. More information about the timetable to invite people for their first check will be available shortly.

 

Click on the Health Check link to read more about the programme. Alternatively, read the Easy Read version.

Contact Details

Contact: Daniel Messom 
Email:
Telephone: 01225 831425 
Fax:  
Address:

NHS B&NES

Trust Headquarters

St Martins Hospital

Clara Cross Lane

BATH

BA2 5RP

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Author Email:
 
Modified: 14/03/2012 14:56

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