Free Healthchecks For Over 40s
In a bid to reduce heart and kidney disease, stroke and diabetes.
There is already a well established NHS Health Check Programme delivered by GPs that has provided more than 35,000 NHS Health Checks to Wandsworth residents.
Now the council has commissioned healthcare company Solutions4Health to run a community-based NHS Health Checks service offering the service at mobile clinics across the borough. The Wandsworth Community NHS Health Check Programme was launched at the Roehampton Festival on Sunday.
The check takes about 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
The mobile clinics are at the following locations:
• Wandsworth Asian Community Centre, Tooting, Mondays 1pm – 2:30pm
• Alton Community Centre, Roehampton, Mondays – 7pm
• Focus Hall, Minstead Gardens, Roehampton, 6pm – 7pm
• Gala Bingo Tooting, 11am – 7pm
• Hestia Age Activity Centre, Tooting, Wednesdays, 12 - 4pm
This means eligible Wandsworth residents can have their check at one of the clinics, at their GP surgery or at one of the following community pharmacies:
• Northcote Road, Battersea
• Pearl Chemist, Tooting
• Aukland Rogers, Garratt Lane
• Nettles, Tooting Bec
• Healthchem, Balham
Leena Sankla, Soultions4Health’ Project Director said “The NHS Health Check programme offers a real opportunity to reduce avoidable deaths and disability, and tackle health inequalities in Wandsworth.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.”
Houda Al-Sharifi Director of Public Health for Wandsworth said “The NHS Health Check programme offers a real opportunity to reduce avoidable deaths and tackle health inequalities in Wandsworth. Everyone is at some risk of developing heart and kidney disease, stroke or diabetes, but by identifying this risk early and taking steps to reduce it, you can improve your chance of living a longer, healthier life. The Community NHS Health Check Programme will support this by bringing this service closer to our residents and enable them to access this vital check in venues and times that may be more suitable- thus complementing the services offered by GPs and pharmacists.”
To find out more call freephone: 0800 061 2999, email info@myhealthcheckwandsworth.co.uk or visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/healthchecks.
August 8, 2013