Only 8.1% of adults were given and NHS health check in England in 2018 -2019

Figures published by the NHS have revealed that less than one in ten adults had an NHS Health Check over the past year.
First introduced to England in April 2009, the health check assesses the risk of stroke, kidney and heart disease, type 2 diabetes, mellitus and dementia. It was offered to 17.6% of adults aged 40-74 years in 2018 – 2019, but only 8.1% were given a check-up.
The latest information given from the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committees database, states that 38 local pharmaceutical committees have been commissioned to deliver an NHS Health check.
NHS England says it is committed to “improving the effectiveness” of the NHS Health Check — especially in tackling cardiovascular disease (CVD) — as part of the ‘NHS Long Term Plan’ published in January 2019.The plan says voluntary sector partners, community pharmacists and GP practices will “provide opportunities for the public to check on their health, through tests for high blood pressure and other high-risk conditions.”
Sandra Gidley, chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s English Pharmacy Board, said: “Community pharmacy is well placed to help deliver this important service and could do much in the area of diabetes and CVD detection, where early detection can literally save lives.”