Starting on August 30th, over 130,000 people in England will have access to workplace health check-ups designed to catch preventable diseases early. These check-ups will be just like going to an NHS appointment, but with the added convenience of taking place at work.
Employees will fill out a questionnaire that will gather important health information, and the data received helps assess their risk for cardiovascular conditions. The goal is to make it easier for people to keep an eye on their health without needing to take time off to visit their GP.
Initially, these check-ups will be available in sectors like construction, hospitality, and transport. Additionally , there’s a pilot program for digital health checks that people can do at home, which is being tested in Norfolk, Medway, and Lambeth.
Andrew Gwynne, the Minister for Public Health and Prevention, explained the motivation behind the program: “We know that many serious diseases can be prevented if we catch them early. By making health checks more accessible, we’re focusing on prevention rather than just treatment. This not only helps ease the pressure on the NHS but also supports people in staying healthier for longer.”
Currently, more than 16 million people in England are eligible for an NHS health check, but only about 40% actually go through with it.
Men, in particular, are less likely to participate in these checks, even though they are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases earlier than women. The new workplace program aims to reach more people by bringing these vital health checks directly to them.
David Hargroves, the NHS National Clinical Director for Stroke, emphasized the importance of these checks: “Health checks save lives by preventing diseases like heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and liver disease. Councils are trying new ways to increase participation, especially in communities that are less likely to visit a GP. By teaming up with employers, we can ensure more people get checked and reduce the risk of serious illnesses.”
The digital health check initiative is expected to provide 1 million check-ups in its first four years, with plans to eventually roll it out nationwide alongside traditional face-to-face checks.