NHS Health Checks
If you’re 40 to 74 years old and live in Suffolk, or are registered with a Suffolk GP practice, you could be eligible for a free NHS Health Check.
What is an NHS Health Check?
The NHS Health Check is a free check-up that looks at your overall health.
It helps you understand your risk of developing certain conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, so you can take steps to stay healthy.
Am I eligible for an NHS Health Check?
– Are you aged between 40 and 74?
– A resident in Suffolk or registered with a Suffolk GP practice?
– You have not had an NHS Health Check within the last 5 years?
– You do not already have heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease, or high blood pressure
If you answered yes to the above, you may be eligible for an NHS Health Check. Visit Suffolk GP Federation to request an appointment.
Why have an NHS health check?
Some health risks, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, often have no symptoms. This means you can feel well even if your risk is higher.
The NHS Health Check helps spot these “silent” risks early and also looks at factors linked to conditions like dementia.
It's free
The NHS Health Check is offered at no cost to help you stay on top of your health.
Spot any issues early
It can help identify early signs of conditions like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease.
Get personalised advice
A healthcare professional can give tips on healthy eating, physical activity, stopping smoking and managing your weight.
Take control of your health
Small changes now can help prevent serious health problems later.
What happens during an NHS health check?
During an NHS Health Check, a healthcare professional measures things like your blood pressure, cholesterol, height and weight, then discusses your risk of conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes while giving advice on how to stay healthy.
The NHS Health Check takes about 20–30 minutes. During the check:
– A health professional will ask a few questions about your family history and lifestyle
– They will record your height, weight, age, gender and ethnicity
– They will check your blood pressure
– They will do a simple finger-prick blood test to check your cholesterol
After your NHS Health Check, you'll receive:
– Advice about your health and your risk of heart and circulatory diseases
– Information about local services that can support healthy lifestyle changes, such as weight management or physical activity programmes
– Following the completion of your NHS Health Check, the data and results will be sent securely to your GP.
All of the information in your NHS Health Check is confidential
– All personal and medical information is kept private and stored securely in your medical records.
– Information from the check cannot be used for purposes outside healthcare without your consent.
– Discussions during the check are confidential, even if sensitive topics like lifestyle or mental health are covered.
Where can I have an NHS Health Check?
If you think you’re eligible but haven’t received an invitation, contact your GP surgery or the Suffolk GP Federation to find out where you can get an NHS Health Check in your area.
A number of pharmacies and community services in Suffolk are offering NHS Health Checks to eligible Suffolk residents. Contact Suffolk GP Federation or visit www.suffolk.fed.org.uk for details of your closest pharmacy.
Find out more and book your free health check. You can also view a helpful guide for what to expect during and after your health check. Contact Suffolk GP Federation at sgpfed.healthchecks@nhs.net or phone 0345 241 3313 for more information.
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