NHS health checks programme

The NHS Health Check is one of the mandated public health services commissioned by Birmingham City Council.

It is a health check-up for adults in England aged 40 to 74 years. 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.

The check is carried out by GPs and their staff; they will write and invite you to book an appointment for the NHS Health Check.

The check involves a set of health and lifestyle questions about things like physical activity, as well as measuring your height, weight and blood pressure and a small fingertip blood test to check your cholesterol.

The health professional will talk through the results with you, and explore where you could make changes that would reduce your risk and improve your wellbeing. They can also help connect you with local support and services that can help you make a change that sticks.

In Birmingham in 2018 to2019, 85,514 people were offered an NHS Health Check and 33,327 people took up the opportunity to assess their health risk and find out how they can lower any risks identified.