NHS Healthcheck - poor take-up.

elljay

I keep hearing in the news about the NHS Health Check and the poor take-up of this service, however it says on the website to wait for a letter and that you should get one every 5 years.

I'm 68 and I've never had such a letter, and nor has anyone I've spoken to. No wonder take up is poor. When asked for postcode for nearest service on the website, it just gives contact details for my local authority - miles and miles away.

Has anyone ever had one? I'll ring my surgery on Monday.

EJ

Pollycat

I received a text (from [EMAIL="sms.communityhospitals@nhs.net"]sms.communityhospitals@nhs.net[/EMAIL]) on 12th March (I'm 65) and made an appointment (still in the future).
On 29th March, I received a further text saying 'we have previously invited you to attend for a NHS Health Check...please contact...if you would like to make an appointment'

So they seem pretty determined that I should have one.

jwil

elljay wrote: »

I keep hearing in the news about the NHS Health Check and the poor take-up of this service, however it says on the website to wait for a letter and that you should get one every 5 years.

I'm 68 and I've never had such a letter, and nor has anyone I've spoken to. No wonder take up is poor. When asked for postcode for nearest service on the website, it just gives contact details for my local authority - miles and miles away.

Has anyone ever had one? I'll ring my surgery on Monday.

EJ

I had one a few months ago. I'm 41 and it was suggested to me when I was at the doc for another reason. It was really useful to me, and the results were surprising given my weight issues.

elsien

I had one letter when first eligible then nothing more since.

elljay

Sorry to regurgitate this but just in case anyone is interested:-

I rang my surgery, the receptionist didn't seem to know what I was talking about. When I explained she said I could come in and the nurse could check my weight and blood pressure but anything else, I'd have to see the doctor. She asked what the problem was and if I wanted an appointment but as I feel fine I certainly don't want to take up my GP's time which would be better used by sick people so declined.

Having dug about a bit more I discovered that the NHS healthcheck is actually only available in 2 wards in my local authority area (not including mine)so that explains that!! The usual poor reporting on the news has obviously not taken that into consideration when telling us about "the poor take-up of a test offered to all over 40".

A shame as in my late 60s I'd like a bit of an MOT but still.

EJ

Robin9

Nearly 70 my last check was last Autumn - bloods, height, weight followed by a Doctor telephone appointment.

It does seem to have been downgraded over the years.