Making the Most of NHS HealthchecksThe NHS Health Check Programme: Putting Prevention First is a national initiative aimed at identifying individuals at risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the next 10 years. In particular, NHS Health Check is an opportunity to find and start a discussion with those people who are the least likely to have an interest in their health, will not have seen their GP (if they have one) for several years and are those most likely to arrive in an emergency department with acute CVD i.e. stroke, myocardial infarct. NHS Health Checks is an opportunity to tackle the health inequalities seen in the inner city, migrant and transient populations.NHS Health Checks is a national initiative but implemented at a local level so the programme can appear different depending on location. Each check should include an initial assessment of lifestyle, BMI, blood pressure and a blood cholesterol test. If indicated from the initial screen further investigations relating to potential diabetes or kidney disease should take place. So how is the NHS Check actually carried out? Implementation of the scheme can take many forms: a simple opportunistic discussion with a pharmacist; an invitation to attend a Health Check at your GP; a Health Check bus manned by specialist staff; a session in a local church, mosque, library or supermarket. The content of each Health Check can vary as well; some are only carrying out the basic physical measurements (BMI, BP) and lifestyle questions whilst others carry out the full screen and investigations in a single session using near patient testing (otherwise known as point of care testing) to identify diabetic or renal disease or risk. Is the programme working? The scheme is targeted to screen all 40 to 74 year olds over a 5 year period and then repeat over a similar cycle. The initial evidence, in line with other screening programmes, is that inviting “well” people to a health screening event will get a less than 60% response rate. In terms of tackling health inequalities the situation is even worse as the people that are most at risk are the ones least likely to respond to an invitation. Many local schemes are now moving on to outreach services i.e. taking the Health Check to the target communities. Even allowing for greater attendance rates, there are still some major obstacles in achieving the aim of reducing CVD. Within the Health Check protocol itself, many schemes are providing the check in stages; doing an initial physical assessment and then asking people to come back for further tests and discussions. This runs into the same problems as the initial “by invitation” schemes. The even bigger hurdle is then getting individuals to change their lifestyle (stop smoking, lose weight, increase exercise) or comply with therapy regimes (e.g. statins to lower cholesterol). From the various schemes around the country, it is clear that the most effective are those that go into the target communities, offer a complete Health Check and then the appropriate support, advice and help immediately. To achieve this goal, point of care testing is essential. Everybody attending a Health Check should have their cholesterol (ideally a full lipid profile) measured. Typically a third will then also need to be screened for diabetes, kidney disease or both. For diabetes, HbA1c is now recognised by WHO and NICE as the preferred screening marker; kidney function can be investigated through a blood creatinine measurement.
How can Axis-Shield help? The Afinion point of care analyser is able to provide more of the tests required in the Health Check protocol than any other single analyser. The Afinion can provide a lipid profile and HbA1c from a finger prick sample in approximately 10 minutes. The Afinion is also the simplest, fastest and most reliable analyser in its class, read more here or see a video demonstration here.
To discuss the Afinion further contact us at HealthChecks@axis-shielduk.com or call 01382 422080. |
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