Issue - meetings

The NHS Health Check programme is a mandatory universal risk assessment and management programme with the aim of reducing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and certain types of dementia. It aims to do this by increasing uptake of primary prevention interventions including weight management, smoking cessation, physical activity, statins, anti-hypertensives, and improved management of impaired glucose intolerance. This report aims to update the Wellbeing PDS Panel on the progress of delivery of the NHS Health Check programme in Bath and North East Somerset.

The Wellbeing Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel are asked to discuss and consider the contents of this report.

The Chairman invited Cathy McMahon (Public Health Development and Commissioning Manager) to introduce the report.

The Chairman commented the NHS Health Check programme was a population wide, primary prevention programme using a systematic approach to identify asymptomatic people aged between 40 – 74 years of age who were then offered a range of tests of risk factors in order to estimate their risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and deliver interventions to prevent disease occurring.  Face to face consultations had included measurements of blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index (BMI) and where necessary diabetes and kidney disease.  Information had been recorded on family history of CVD, ethnicity, smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity. The results of these investigations had been used to estimate CVD risk over the next 10 years.  All individuals were offered specific interventions to reduce or manage this risk.  A risk assessment for dementia awareness had been also included for everyone aged 65 – 74.

Councillor Hall commented the NHS Health Check programme had been funded from the Public Health Grant, which was currently ring-fenced until 2016.  Councillor Hall asked who would make the decision on where the funding would go.

Cathy McMahon responded that B&NES programme had been commissioned by the Public Health team and delivered through all 27 GP surgeries locally. Programme delivery had been overseen by a Steering Group with representation from a GP (retired), practice managers and the Public Health team.

Cathy McMahon also said that between July 2011 and September 2014, 44,578 people in Bath and North East Somerset were offered a NHS Health Check and 20,080 received a Check.  During 13/14 the take up of NHS Health Checks in B&NES was 51.1%, an improvement on 12/13 take up of 45.6% and above the national average of 48%. 

It was RESOLVED to note the report.