Bradford public urged to get health check (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford public urged to get health check

10:00am Thursday 3rd January 2013 in News By Claire Lomax

Health check

Patients in Bradford at risk of developing health problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease, are missing out on NHS health checks.

NHS Health Checks were first offered in 2010 to people aged between 40 and 74 once every five years on a rolling programme.

It started by targeting the 1,400 people who were at greater risk of developing certain conditions.

Latest figures show that in 2011/12 only 190 such checks were performed in the Bradford district.

Across Yorkshire 150,000 were offered the checks but the figures reveal huge disparity in access to them. Overall 88,000 tests were carried out but take-up rates varied from 90 per cent in Rotherham to fewer than ten per cent in Bradford.

Patients who are identified by their medical practice as being at greater risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease are sent an invitation to make an appointment with the healthcare assistant at their local surgery. An information leaflet about Health Checks is also included.

The checks take about 20 to 30 minutes and are based on questions and measurements such as height, weight and blood pressure. The aim is to spot any warning signs of illness and see what can be done. The idea is that with early action people can improve their health and prevent the onset of these illnesses.

A spokesman for NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds said: “This year we are inviting significantly more people and we anticipate the number of people having a check will be higher.

“The checks are designed to pick up any problems among patients who don’t already see their GP regularly for other conditions. By taking early action people can improve their health and prevent the onset of these problems.

“As well as sending invite letters to patients’ homes, practices are supporting the Health Check programme by encouraging relevant patients to have this important check.”