Poor response to health check offer

LESS THAN half of adults are taking advantage of a free NHS midlife health check, a charity has found.

Only 44 per cent of adults eligible for an NHS Health Check in the last five years has had one, according to a new analysis by Diabetes UK.

The charity found wide variations in uptake, with 99 per cent of eligible adults in Walsall receiving their Health Check compared with 18 per cent in the East Riding of Yorkshire and Croydon. The five-yearly check-up is offered to adults in England aged 40-70 to help spot early signs of type 2 diabetes, stroke, kidney disease, heart disease and dementia.

According to Diabetes UK, between 2013 and 2018, 15.5m were eligible to receive an NHS Health Check, but only 6.8m had one.

Adults who are found to be at a high risk of type 2 diabetes who are identified through the scheme are referred to the spe- cialist NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, which helps people to reduce their risk.

It is estimated there are around a million people with type 2 diabetes who have not been diagnosed.

Diabetes UK Head of Policy Robin Hewings said: “It is absolutely vital that all people who are eligible in every area get a health check.

“If left undiagnosed type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications, including blindness, amputations, stroke and kidney failure, but with the right treatment and support people living with the condition can lead a long, full and healthy life.”

Professor Jamie Waterall, who is Public Health England’s National Lead for the NHS Health Check programme, said: “Public Health England is working hard to support every council to provide these vital checks for people aged 40 to 74-years-old.”