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What’s involved in the NHS Health Check with Meet PEET (Patient Experience Engagement Team)
Welcome to your NHS health check. Here’s what to expect when you arrive:
- You will be asked your name, date of Birth, NHS number, GP or doctor’s name, ethnicity, and postcode. (To help us link your health check to your NHS record, it would be helpful – but is not essential – if you could bring your NHS number with you. You will find this on a repeat prescription or letter from your doctor.)
- You will have your height and weight measured.
- You will be seen by a specialist nurse from the hospital who will test your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
- You and your nurse will then discuss, your lifestyle, exercise, diet, and alcohol use and will share the results. You will be directed to services where you will be able to find further support.
- You do not have to be registered with a GP to have your NHS health check.
Blood pressure test
Your blood pressure will be taken using a cuff fitted over your upper arm. The cuff then is filled with air until it feels tight. This can feel uncomfortable but it only lasts a few seconds. It’s important to relax and not talk during this time, because this is when your blood pressure is measured. An automatic device picks up the measurements from sensors in the arm cuff, which are sent to a digital display. You will get the results straight away.
Cholesterol and blood sugar test
You will have a small sample of blood taken from your finger (finger prick) to check your cholesterol level and your blood sugar level. You will get the results straight away.
BMI (Body Mass Index)
Your weight and height will be taken to calculate your BMI.
Wellbeing
We will talk with you about your mental health and any other issues impacting on your wellbeing. Please use this time to ask any questions you have.
Results
Your results will be written on a record for you to keep safe and show any appropriate healthcare professional.
Your results will also be sent automatically to your GP if you are registered with one. If you would like to register, then we can help you to do that. You have the right to withdraw consent – this will mean that your GP will not have access to your health check information.
You will be advised on the next steps to take depending on your results.
Eligibility
People at risk of developing cardiovascular conditions are a priority for this project. To be eligible for a health check, you must:
- Be aged 18 years or over.
- Not have had a NHS health check in the last 5 years.
- Not currently be receiving treatment from a Doctor for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke or chronic kidney disease.
- Not currently being prescribed statins.
