Purpose: To increase uptake of the Public Health (PH) commissioned NHS Health Checks, to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and dementia.

How does it work? The Health Improvement and Support Team  will send SMS and call patients to encourage health check uptake.

What is the cohort? PH commission health checks via GP Practices, Reed Wellbeing (for pandemic related backlog) and an Norfolk County Council (NCC) provider (to increase in-year uptake). The Health Improvement and Support Team will target effort on areas determined by PH and GP Practices.

Outcomes: NHS England advise that:

•there is robust evidence that medical treatment substantially reduces the risk of life changing events such as heart attack, stroke and dementia.

•the programme is achieving its objective of tackling health inequalities – people from the most deprived populations are at least as likely to have the check as people in affluent communities, addressing early concerns that only the ‘worried well’ would be attracted.

•only half of all people invited for the NHS Health Check take up the offer. Increasing uptake must be a priority if we are to maximise the programme’s potential for preventing premature death and disability.