Health check appointment

elljay

I just rang my GP to see if I could get a health check/MOT - I know I'm not in the geographical area for one of the NHS healthchecks but would like something similar. I feel well (I'm in my late 60s) so would like to stay that way.

I'm not sure if I'm asking for the wrong thing because although the nurse can do weight/height and give diet advice etc she can't check cholesterol/blood sugar and whatever else is part of a health check. Blood tests are only done if a doctor asks for them as part of treatment for something or other - you can't ask for them yourself despite the NHS website saying it's important to know your numbers. The receptionist asked if I feel ill and needed to see a doctor for some condition or other and when I said I didn't she was pretty dismissive so I left it.

This seems very shortsighted however my question is, am I asking the wrong questions? Should I say something's wrong in order to get an appointment or alternatively, is there a private provider I should go to? Or a pharmacist? Would home-testing kits be better? I really can't afford to go privately but if it's the only way to monitor my health then needs must. I am concerned about blood sugar and cholesterol given I'm overweight.

I was so sure a nurse could just do this for me in no time that i was rather thrown by the response.

Any advice would be great. Thanks

EJ

Pollycat

Apparently you should be invited for a NHS Health Check:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/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.

Also, look at this link:

https://www.boots.com/prescription-support/nhs-health-check-service

Dizzy_Ditzy

I had an over 40 one today. She checked my cholesterol there and then on a testing thing, which I don't Exocet to be 100% reliable but it'll do for me. Because my bmi is "increased" I had a blood sugar check done too which was sent to the lab and I'll get a phone call if there's a problem.

It was done by a nurse following a phone call inviting me to have it done.

elljay

Thanks. I've tried to get a nhs over 40s check before as I've never had a letter and there's been a lot of publicity in the media about lack of take-up. I'm not surprised if people aren't receiving letters anyway! I also read somewhere that only certain wards are involved which in my area seem to be the parts of town with highest unemployment/free school meals etc. So not where I live.

Having been knocked back by the receptionist I asked for a call with the GP who said a check was fine and seemed to assume it was standard procedure. I'll have a weight/height, blood pressure etc check, blood tests for cholesterol, diabetes, liver function - cant remember what else - and then advice on how to deal with any issues.

So for me, all good. I've made the appointment for a couple of week's time. But it seems to be yet another of those things that there's a big publicity thing about how marvellous the authorities are to offer this, but you have to first know and then fight to get it. Then the blame is put on poor Josephine public for not taking the offer up! Gosh these days I'm so cynical.

EJ