Who can have an NHS health check

If you are aged 40–74, you may be eligible for an NHS Health Check.

However if you have been diagnosed with some medical conditions, you are probably already being monitored or checked by your medical team or doctor so you do not need another check up.

You will not need a check if you have had an NHS Health Check in the last five years, and if you have already been diagnosed with:

chronic kidney disease
coronary heart disease
diabetes
heart attack
heart condition (atrial fibrillation)
high blood pressure
high cholesterol
stroke or a mini-stroke.

You are also not eligible if you are taking medication to lower your cholesterol.

The checks are available to anyone living, or registered with a GP, in the borough.

What happens at an NHS Health Check

The check takes about 20–30 minutes and you will be asked some questions about your general health and lifestyle and have a few straightforward health tests.

This allows the person carrying out your test to assess your risk of developing five different diseases: heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and dementia. They will also check for high blood pressure.

You will be asked about your family history, whether or not you smoke and how much alcohol you drink.
Your age, gender and ethnicity will be recorded.
You will be weighed and your body mass index (BMI) will be worked out.
Your blood pressure will be taken.
You will have a simple blood test to check your cholesterol, blood sugar and HIV status.

The health professional who completed your check will give you all the results and talk to you about how to lower your risk and maintain a healthy lifestyle. They will also discuss any changes you may want to make to improve your health and you may be asked to do further tests. You will have the chance to ask questions too.

Where to have your NHS Health Check

NHS Health Checks can be completed at different places all over the borough and at a time convenient for you.

You can have your free NHS Health Check at your GP surgery (ask at reception).

In Lewisham the NHS Health Check programme is currently managed by One Health Lewisham - for more information please contact them directly on 0203 640 2113.

Tell us about your NHS Health Check

We would like feedback from residents who have had an NHS Health Check. This will help us improve the quality of the service and find out where we are delivering the service well and where the service needs to improve. Tell us about your health check.

Published on: 03/04/2025