A new NHS trial, exclusive to Cornwall, has been launched which will allow patients to complete health checks from the comfort of their own homes. This will prevent GP services from being swamped during a busy winter period.
This forms a key part of the Government’s drive to digitise health checks. Cornish patients will be asked to complete an online questionnaire, use a kit to take a blood sample at home, and complete a blood pressure check at their local pharmacy or in their GP’s waiting room.
The pandemic meant that patients became accustomed to taking tests at home and receiving results online, therefore this trial aims to permanently implement positive changes in healthcare delivery experienced during that period.
The NHS Health Check is a health check-up for adults in England aged 40 to 74. A total of 15 million people are eligible for free NHS Health Checks in England, however uptake in Cornwall has traditionally been low.
More than 2,000 people from 3 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.
Councillor Dr Andy Virr, Portfolio Holder for Adults and Public Health at Cornwall Council, said: “By making health checks like this easier to access and more convenient we can hopefully prevent more serious illnesses and identify people who may be at risk of stroke or heart attack earlier.”
