Working together to improve your health
Everyone is at risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and some forms of dementia. 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, kidney disease and dementia increases with age. There are also certain things that will put you at even greater risk. These are:
- being overweight
- being physically inactive
- not eating healthily
- smoking
- drinking too much alcohol
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
Both men and women can develop these conditions, and having once could increase your risk of developing another in the future.
- In the brain a blocked artery or a bleed can cause a stroke.
- In the heart a blocked artery can cause a heart attack or angina.
- The kidneys can be damaged by high blood pressure or diabetes, causing chronic kidney disease and increasing your risk of having a heart attack.
- Being overweight and physically inactive can lead to type 2 diabetes.
- If unrecognised or unmanaged, type 2 diabetes could increase your risk of further health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease and stroke.
What happens at the check?
- This check is to assess your risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, and stroke.
- The check will take about 20–30 minutes.
- You’ll be asked some simple questions. For example, about your family history and choices which may put your health at risk
- We’ll record your height, weight, age, sex, and ethnicity.
- We’ll take your blood pressure.
- We’ll do a simple blood test to check your cholesterol level.
What happens after the check?
- We will discuss how you can reduce your risk and stay healthy.
- You’ll be taken through your results and told what they mean. Some people may be asked to return at a later date for their results.
- You’ll be given personalised advice on how to lower your risk and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Some people with raised blood pressure will have their kidneys checked through a blood test.
- Some people may need to have another blood test to check for type 2 diabetes. Your health professional will be able to tell you more.
- Treatment or medication may be prescribed to help you maintain your health.
Questions you may have
Why do I need this check? I feel fine!
- The 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.
But don’t these conditions run in the family?
- If you have a history of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, or kidney disease in your family then you may be more at risk. Taking action now can help you to prevent the onset of these conditions.
I know what I’m doing wrong. How can the doctor help me?
- If you would like help, we will work with you to find ways to eat healthily, reach your healthy weight, be more active, cut down your drinking, or stop smoking.
If I am assessed as being at ‘low risk’, does this mean I won’t develop these conditions?
- It is impossible to say that someone will or won’t go on to develop one of these conditions. But taking action now can help you lower your potential risk.
Will everyone have this check?
- This check is part of a national scheme to help prevent the onset of these health problems. Everyone between the ages of 40 and 74 who has not been diagnosed with the conditions mentioned will be invited for a check once every five years. If you are outside the age range and concerned about your health, you should contact your GP.
Unfortunately, the practice is currently not performing any minor surgery. Please call reception for some advice for this, if necessary.
The pneumococcal vaccine (or ‘pneumo jab’ or pneumonia vaccine as it’s also known) protects against pneumococcal infections.
Pneumococcal infections are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae and can lead to pneumonia, septicaemia (a kind of blood poisoning) and meningitis.
Read more about why the pneumococcal vaccination is needed.
Who should have the pneumococcal vaccine?
A pneumococcal infection can affect anyone. However, some people need the pneumococcal vaccination because they are at higher risk of complications. These include:
- all children under the age of two
- adults aged 65 or over
- children and adults with certain long-term health conditions, such as a serious heart or kidney condition
Read more about who should have the pneumo jab.
How often is the pneumococcal vaccine given?
Babies receive the pneumococcal vaccine as three separate injections, at 2 months, 4 months and 12-13 months.
People over-65 only need a single pneumococcal vaccination which will protect for life. It is not given annually like the flu jab.
People with a long term health condition may need just a single one-off pneumococcal vaccination or five-yearly vaccination depending on their underlying health problem.
Seasonal flu is a highly infectious illness caused by a flu virus.
The virus infects your lungs and upper airways, causing a sudden high temperature and general aches and pains.
You could also lose your appetite, feel nauseous and have a dry cough. Symptoms can last for up to a week.
We offer ‘at risk’ groups the flu vaccine at a certain time each year to protect you against the flu virus.
You may be invited for a flu jab if you are:
- over 65 years of age
- pregnant
or have:
- a serious heart or chest complaint, including asthma
- serious kidney disease
- diabetes
- lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment
- if you have ever had a stroke
- If you have any queries please contact the surgery.
For more information please visit the websites below:
External Websites
Flu and the Flu Vaccine – NHS Choices
In order to assist us to make a full assessment of the potential risks to your health from your planned travel, we would ask that you make a Travel Clinic appointment with our Practice Nurse. Ideally, this appointment should be made around the time of booking your holiday, at least 6 weeks before you travel.
At your appointment we may ask the following questions to help us plan for your trip:-
- When are you departing and for how long?
- Where are you going, including the destinations within a country?
- Where are you staying, e.g. backpacking, camping, hotels?
- Are you planning to undertake any high risk activities?
- Have you taken out travel insurance and have you informed the company of any existing medical condition?
- If female and of child bearing age, is there any possibility you could be pregnant, or are you planning a pregnancy?
- Do you have any medical conditions, or a history of significant medical illness? (these can influence the choice of malaria tablets we recommend)
Useful External Websites
It would help us greatly if you had some awareness of the travel problems that you may be at risk from on your trip before you come for your appointment.
Please look at the following website, to read the information for the county you are visiting http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/
Other useful websites to look at are:-
One of the most important things that a parent can do for their child is to make sure that they have all their routine childhood vaccinations. It’s the most effective way of keeping them protected against infectious diseases.
Ideally, children should have their jabs at the right age to protect them as early as possible and minimise the risk of infection.
Find out which jabs your child needs, when they need them, and what the benefits of each jab are.
Please call the surgery to make an appointment.
For more information please visit the websites below:
External Websites
Vaccinations for you and your family – NHS Choices
Postnatal care extends for between 6-8 weeks after the birth of your baby. During this period, routine checks are carried out by the health visitor and you and your baby’s recovery is monitored.
During your postnatal care you will find out about feeding, potty training, illnesses, safety and more. You will be able to ask your health visitor questions and request advice.
External sites
Birth to 5 years old guide – NHS Choices
Breastfeeding Guide – NHS Choices
Information and support – NetMums
Support for new mum’s – NCT
Videos from NHS Choices
Busy mums talk about how they fit exercise into life with a new born baby and experts explain what’s safe and what’s not after you’ve given birth.
Some newborn babies are released from hospital without a detailed examination. If this is the case, our GPs are happy to perform the relevant checks, either in the surgery, or in comfort of your own home, depending on which is easier for you.
In most cases, the Practice will contact new mums to arrange for this to happen, on rare occasions where we are unaware of the birth, please feel free to give us a call and arrange an appointment or visit.
Antenatal care is the care and help you receive from health professionals during the course of your pregnancy. It is important you take good care of your own health and that of your unborn baby during pregnancy.
As soon as you find out you are pregnant, you can get in touch with us to find out more information on the services and support that are available to you.
However, you can also self-refer to a Antenatal Clinic online directly to a Chelsea and Westminster Service.
For more information, please visit the following websites.
External websites
Download the NHS Pregnancy Tracker for your Desktop, find out more here.
The Pregnancy Care Planner
Antenatal Care – Lifestyle Advice
Videos from NHS Choices
Antenatal screening helps you manage your pregnancy better and lets you know how your baby is progressing. Two mums talk about what screening involves.
If you are planning to have a baby or you need to know more information about how to look after yourself and your unborn baby, please book an appointment with your GP.
We can provide you with all the information you need to know to have a happy and healthy pregnancy.
External websites
Before you try to get pregnant – NHS Choices
Everything you need to know about pregnancy – NHS Choices
Pregnancy Care Planner – NHS Choices
See how your baby will develop – NHS Choices
Work out your due date – NHS Choices Calulator tool
Videos from NHS Choices
A midwife explains the alternative options for women who don’t want to give birth in hospital, and one mother describes her experience of giving birth at home.