Health Checks

Supporting Health, Wellbeing & Positive Futures Regular health checks help identify health problems early, reduce the risk of serious illness, and support people to live healthier, longer lives. The NHS offers a range of health checks throughout life, from newborn examinations and childhood reviews to adult health checks and long-term condition monitoring. This guide explains the different NHS health checks available, your rights, legal protections, accessible support, evidence standards, and advice for children, parents, carers and families. Emergency: If someone has symptoms of a heart attack, stroke, severe breathing difficulties, collapse, or another life-threatening emergency, call 999 immediately. For urgent but non-life-threatening health concerns, contact NHS 111.

What Are NHS Health Checks?

Health checks are designed to:

• Detect health problems early.
• Prevent serious illness.
• Monitor existing conditions.
• Promote healthy lifestyles.
• Identify risk factors.
• Support early treatment.

Health checks may be offered by:

• GP surgeries
• Community health services
• Pharmacies
• Hospitals
• School nursing services
• Occupational health providers (outside the NHS)

NHS Health Check Programme

The NHS Health Check is available to eligible adults aged 40 to 74 in England who do not already have certain diagnosed long-term conditions. It helps identify the risk of:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Dementia (through lifestyle risk discussions)
• High blood pressure

Eligible people are normally invited every 5 years.

The check may include:

• Blood pressure
• Height and weight
• Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Cholesterol test
• Diabetes risk assessment
• Lifestyle questions
• Smoking and alcohol advice
• Heart health assessment

Official information:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/

Children's Health Checks

Children receive routine health reviews throughout childhood.

These may include:

Newborn Physical Examination

Checks:

• Heart
• Hips
• Eyes
• Testicles (boys)
• General health

Development Reviews

Health visitors monitor:

• Growth
• Feeding
• Sleep
• Speech
• Movement
• Social development
• Emotional wellbeing

School Health Reviews

School nursing teams may support:

• Growth monitoring
• Vision
• Hearing
• Emotional wellbeing
• Healthy lifestyles
• Continence
• Immunisation programmes

Parents should attend appointments and discuss any concerns early.

Health Checks for Older Adults

Older adults may receive checks for:

• Blood pressure
• Falls risk
• Frailty
• Memory concerns
• Nutrition
• Hearing
• Vision
• Medication review
• Mobility
• Continence
• Bone health

Ask your GP if you think additional assessments are needed.

Long-Term Condition Reviews

People with long-term health conditions may receive regular reviews for:

• Diabetes
• Asthma
• COPD
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Epilepsy
• Mental health conditions
• Kidney disease
• Thyroid disorders

Reviews may include:

• Blood tests
• Medication review
• Lifestyle advice
• Blood pressure
• Weight
• Symptom assessment
• Care planning

Blood Pressure Checks

High blood pressure often causes no symptoms.

Blood pressure can be checked at:

• GP surgeries
• Community pharmacies
• NHS Health Checks
• Some workplaces
• Hospital clinics

High blood pressure increases the risk of:

• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Kidney disease
• Dementia

Diabetes Checks

Your clinician may recommend testing if you have:

• Family history
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Previous gestational diabetes
• Symptoms such as thirst or frequent urination

Tests may include:

• HbA1c
• Blood glucose
• Cholesterol
• Kidney function
• Foot assessment (for people with diabetes)

Cancer Screening & Preventative Checks

Separate NHS screening programmes are available for eligible groups, including:

• Breast screening
• Cervical screening
• Bowel cancer screening
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening

These are separate from the NHS Health Check but form an important part of preventative healthcare.

Lifestyle Advice During Health Checks

Healthcare professionals may discuss:

• Healthy eating
• Exercise
• Weight management
• Alcohol use
• Smoking
• Mental wellbeing
• Sleep
• Vaccinations
• Sexual health

You should be offered advice appropriate to your health needs.

Children, Parents & Carers

Parents should:

• Attend routine health reviews.
• Keep the child's Red Book (Personal Child Health Record) up to date.
• Raise concerns early about development, behaviour, growth or learning.
• Keep copies of referrals, assessments and clinic letters.
• Inform schools of significant health conditions.

If a child has additional needs, ask about:

• Health visitor support
• School nurse support
• Community paediatric services
• Therapy referrals
• Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) support where appropriate

Legal Rights

Under the NHS Constitution for England, patients have the right to:

• Access NHS services.
• Receive safe care.
• Be treated with dignity and respect.
• Receive clear information.
• Be involved in decisions.
• Give informed consent.
• Access health records.
• Make complaints.

Official:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-constitution-for-england

Equality & Accessibility Rights

Under the Equality Act 2010, disabled people have the right to reasonable adjustments.

You can request:

• Easy Read information
• Large print
• Braille
• Audio information
• British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter
• Spoken language interpreter
• Longer appointments
• Quiet waiting areas
• Wheelchair access
• Home visits where clinically appropriate
• Carer or advocate support

The Accessible Information Standard requires NHS services to identify and meet communication needs.

Official:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/accessible-information-standard/

Evidence Standards

Keep copies of:

• NHS Health Check results
• Blood pressure readings
• Blood test results
• Medication lists
• Appointment letters
• Referral letters
• Care plans
• Vaccination records
• Growth charts
• Children's Red Book records
• Hospital letters
• Complaint correspondence

Ask for:

• Printed results
• Copies of clinic letters
• Follow-up plans
• Referral information
• Lifestyle advice
• Accessible information where required

Accountability

If you believe you have not been offered appropriate health monitoring:

Step 1

Speak with:

• GP
• Practice nurse
• Health visitor
• School nurse
• Community healthcare professional

Step 2

Request a review.

Step 3

Use the NHS complaints procedure if necessary.

Step 4

Escalate unresolved complaints to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman after completing the NHS complaints process.

Practical Questions to Ask

• Am I eligible for an NHS Health Check?
• What do my results mean?
• What lifestyle changes should I make?
• Will I need further tests?
• When should I be reviewed again?
• Can I receive information in an accessible format?
• Should my child be referred for further assessment?
• What support is available if my risk is high?

Official NHS & GOV.UK Resources

NHS Health Check

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/

NHS Screening Programmes

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-screening/

NHS Better Health

https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/

NHS Live Well

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/

NHS Vaccinations

https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/

NHS Constitution

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-constitution-for-england

Accessible Information Standard

https://www.england.nhs.uk/accessible-information-standard/

NHS Complaints

https://www.nhs.uk/contact-us/how-to-complain-to-the-nhs/

Quick Checklist

✔ Attend NHS Health Checks when invited.
✔ Keep copies of test results, care plans and clinic letters.
✔ Monitor blood pressure, weight and long-term conditions as advised.
✔ Take children to routine developmental reviews and keep their Red Book up to date.
✔ Ask for reasonable adjustments or accessible information if needed.
✔ Raise concerns early if you think further assessment or monitoring is needed.
✔ Use the NHS complaints process if recommended health checks or follow-up care are delayed or not provided appropriately.