Health secretary says NHS is more personal

The NHS is becoming increasingly personal and responsive to individual needs, health secretary Alan Johnson has suggested.

His comments came after the Department of Health (DoH) announced a number of preventative checks will be available across England in the near future to help reduce the number of heart attacks, strokes and cases of diabetes and kidney disease.

Everyone aged between 40 and 74 in the country will be invited for a free medical as part of the national programme ? which could prevent 1,600 heart attacks and strokes annually.

The examinations will consist of a basic interview asking questions about exercise, health and diet, as well as height and weight measurements, blood and cholesterol tests, followed by recommendations about how the individual can reduce possible risks to their wellbeing.

Mr Johnson remarked the public health body is “becoming as good at prevention and keeping people healthy as it is at providing care and cures”.

He concluded the NHS is able to offer all of the information and support to people so they can make suitable lifestyle choices.

Last week, the DoH released figures showing its shortest patient waiting times since records began.