The government has rolled out a health check programme to workplaces across the country, aiming to better protect more than 130,000 people across the country from heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes.
The checks, which employees can complete at work, record information which is used to determine their cardiovascular risk. The equivalent of an NHS appointment, they are intended to save thousands of hours of NHS time and help to cut waiting lists.
The programme aims to reach more people through the workplace for them to understand and improve their cardiovascular health. It is part of the Health and Social Care Secretary’s commitment to support the government’s mission to boost economic growth, by improving the nation’s health.
A range of employers will take part in the programme, including Jaguar Land Rover, and those in the building, hospitality, transport and social care sectors.
In addition, the government has announced a digital version of the NHS Health Check, available through the NHS App. Users can undertake a health check at home and have the results automatically written back into their GP electronic health record. Local authorities in Norfolk, Medway and Lambeth will pilot it when it is ready for testing in early 2025.
Andrew Gwynne, minister for public health and prevention, said: “We’re working to improve access to treatment while also taking steps to address the preventable causes of cardiovascular disease. This new programme is an important step towards community-focused healthcare and supporting economic and 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.”
Dr Steve Iley, chief medical officer at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “Health checks are a fundamental part of prevention and therefore feature in many of our programmes. Our collaboration with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council on the workplace cardiovascular disease checks pilot presents a unique opportunity to work together on providing awareness and signposting for our employees. We are excited to provide these vital checks to approximately 4,500 of our Solihull employees before the end of this financial year.”
