- NHS Health Checks – a key strategy to increase life expectancy and reduce health inequalities
- Backing Government drive to save 650 lives a year
Free NHS Health Checks for Wandsworth residents are aiming to reduce heart and kidney disease, stroke and diabetes – and supporting the government’s aim to save 650 lives per year.
Run by healthcare innovators Solutions 4 Health on behalf of Wandsworth Council, the NHS Health Checks service tackles common health issues by actively working in the community’s shopping centres, leisure centres, libraries, community hubs, housing estates, and supermarkets in key target areas across the borough including Roehampton, Tooting, Queenstown and Graveney.
The Wandsworth Community NHS Health Check Programme will be launched at the Roehampton Festival on Sunday 4th August. Eligible Wandsworth residents will then be able to have an NHS Health Check at one of the Solutions 4 Health mobile clinics across the borough.
Free for local residents, the service is targeted at adults aged 40 to 74 who haven’t already been diagnosed with any of those four diseases. “The NHS Health Check programme offers a real opportunity to reduce avoidable deaths and disability, and tackle health inequalities in Wandsworth.” Said Leena Sankla, Solutions 4 Health’s Projects Director.
Wandsworth’s Health Checks integrate with Public Health England’s ten-point plan, which guides the NHS in rolling out the Health Check programme to 20% of the eligible population – 15 million people – by 2018/19.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said recently, “I’d like to see all 40 to 74-year-olds taking up this potentially life-saving opportunity. We are an ageing population and thinking about our health early is vital to living a long and prosperous life. More than 650 lives a year could be saved if simple NHS Health Checks were offered and taken up throughout the country.”
The check takes 20–30 minutes and is based on straightforward questions and measurements such as age, sex, family history, height, weight and blood pressure. There will also be a simple blood test to measure cholesterol and maybe blood sugar levels. Following the check, free personalised advice is offered about what to do to stay healthy.
As well as offering advice on maintaining good health and lifestyle, direct referrals can be suggested into many local lifestyle services, including:
- Weight Management Services
- Wandsworth Stop Smoking service
- Wandsworth Alcohol Service
- Health Trainer Service
- Wandsworth Stress Management Service
From Sunday 4th August the Community NHS Health Checks will be based at the following locations:
- Wandsworth Asian Community Centre, Tooting, Mondays 1pm – 2:30pm
- Alton Community Centre, Roehampton, Mondays 5pm – 7pm
- Focus Hall, Minstead Gardens, Tuesday Roehampton, 6pm – 7pm
- Gala Bingo Tooting, Saturday 1am – 7pm
Further locations will be added shortly; for more information on these locations or to book into one of these clinics call Freephone: 0800 061 2999 or emailinfo@myhealthcheckwandsworth.co.uk.
In order to promote wellbeing and to self-manage, people can securely enter and track their vital signs such as blood pressure, blood glucose, weight etc viahttp://www.myselfcare.co.uk. These can, if required, be easily shared with their GP’s to identify trends quickly. The site is underpinned by the iTelehealth® secure data platform, enabling patients to be custodians of their own records and contribute to overall better healthcare outcomes.
“Everyone is at some risk of developing heart and kidney disease, stroke or diabetes. But by identifying that risk early and taking steps to reduce it, you can improve your chance of maintaining or improving your health as you get older.” said Leena Sankla. “Over 60% of today’s most common diseases are linked to the way we live our lives. It is important to understand the consequences of our actions on our bodies, as many of these diseases are preventable.
“Some risks, like age and gender, can’t be changed. But there’s a lot you can do to reduce your risk, like maintaining a healthy weight, keeping physically active, eating a healthy and balanced diet, and not smoking.”
Solutions 4 Health has also recently entered into agreements to provide Heath Checks and Community Outreach services in Camden, Worcestershire and Medway.
