Cornwall to trial home health checks to free up GPs

It's the first place in England to try the project

Author: Simon McleanPublished 5th Dec 2022

Cornwall is the first place in England to trial giving people health checks in their own homes - to ease pressure on frontline services.

Patients will complete an online questionnaire, use a kit to take a blood sample at home, and have a blood pressure check at their local pharmacy or in their GP’s waiting room.

The procedures are normally carried out by a GP - but it's hoped by doing them at home, it'll free up doctors to see more patients.

It's applying some of the lessons learned during Covid when people got used to doing tests at home and getting their results online.

Those invited urged to take part in the trial which will inform the design and development of the digital check

The NHS Health Check is a health check-up for adults in England aged 40 to 74. It's designed to prevent stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of dementia. A total of 15 million people are eligible for free NHS Health Checks in England.

More than 2,000 people from three GP surgeries across Cornwall are being invited to take part in the trial - only those whose results indicate an underlying health condition will be followed-up by their GP.

The results of the trial will help inform the design and development of the new national NHS Digital Health Check.

'Crucial in preventing life-threatening conditions'

Minister for Public Health Neil O’Brien said, “Innovation is key to a modern, forward looking National Health Service, and this trial will help us understand what a new digital NHS Health Check could look like in the years to come.

“The health check is crucial in preventing and identifying potentially life-threatening conditions, and this digital version will do just that while making patients’ lives easier and reducing pressure on frontline services.

“During the pandemic people got used to doing tests at home and getting their results online, so this trial is an opportunity for us to apply some of the lessons we learnt during Covid and improve the way we deliver healthcare.

Dr Andy Sant, managing director of NHS Cornwall’s North and East Integrated Care Area said:

“I urge everyone invited to take part in the trial so we can get the best possible data as we look to roll out a national digital check.”

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