Following a national competitive expression of interest process, Norfolk has been selected alongside two other local authorities by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to test the digital NHS Health Check in the next stage of the government’s pilot.

The digital pilot is part of DHSC investment for the development of a digital NHS Health Check platform, accessible to eligible invitees via the NHS App.

Introducing a digital NHS Health Check will give patients more choice about where and when to have a check and empower people to take action to improve their health independently. The ambition is to enable people to self-check at home or in convenient community locations, only directing people to primary care where further clinical assessment is required.

In this phase Norfolk County Council, Medway Council and Lambeth Council will test the digital platform with a small number of patients in early 2025. The digital check will be offered to eligible patients alongside the existing in-person check and three GP practices in Norfolk have volunteered to participate:

• Acle Medical Partnership (Acle Medical Centre and Reedham Surgery)
• Drayton Medical Practice (Drayton, Horsford and Horsham St Faiths Surgeries)
• Great Massingham and Bayfield Surgeries.

An evaluation will be conducted by NIHR and Norfolk will be included as a case study.  The pilot and its evaluation will determine the most suitable approach for a subsequent national rollout.

This is an exciting opportunity for Norfolk to take part in the national pilot of a digital service to increase the flexibility and reach of the NHS Health Check. NCC Public Health and partners across the system are working together to deliver the third year of a five-year programme of improvement for NHS Health Checks in Norfolk, which has already seen performance turned around from one of the lowest in the East of England to one of the best in the country. The digital NHS Health Check aligns with plans in Norfolk to explore alternative methods of delivery to improve uptake and access to the service, particularly in areas of deprivation to reduce health inequalities.

Further details on the digital NHS Health Check pilot will be released in due course. Find out more about NHS Health Checks in Norfolk: www.norfolk.gov.uk/healthchecks