NHS workplace health checks for heart and kidney disease and diabetes to be rolled out in Cambridgeshire

NHS workplace health checks for heart and kidney disease and diabetes are being rolled out in Cambridgeshire.

The government has given local NHS bodies £220,000 to provide 13,650 check-ups in the region.

The NHS Health Checks workplace programme will partner with employers for the first time to offer the comprehensive tests, which can detect the preventable causes of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease, as well some cases of dementia. The checks record a range of information about each patient, which is then used to determine their cardiovascular risk.

Employers, including those from the building, hospitality, social care and transport sectors, are set to take part.

Andrew Gwynne, minister for public health and prevention, said: “We know so many deadly diseases can be avoided if we seek help in enough time. That’s why we’re working to improve access to treatment while also taking steps to address the preventable causes of cardiovascular disease.

“This innovative new programme is an important step towards community-focused healthcare and supporting economic productivity through improving health, shifting the focus from treatment to prevention, easing the strain on the NHS and helping people to live well for longer.”

More than 16 million people are eligible for an NHS Health Check, but only around 40 per cent of those invited completed one.

This is especially true for men, who are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease at an earlier age than women.

People aged 40 to 74 can request an NHS Health Check from their GP if they have not had one in the past five years.

Cllr Louise Gittins, chair of the Local Government Association, said: “Health checks can save lives. They can prevent people from developing largely preventable diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, Type 2 diabetes and liver disease.

“Councils are exploring new ways to boost uptake, targeting individuals or communities at increased risk, and using proactive outreach programs to get into those communities who are less likely to attend their general practice.

“However, there is more that can be done, and by partnering council and employers, we can make sure more people get a health check and hopefully prevent illness later on.”