NHS Health Checks
An NHS Health Check provides a free opportunity to review your current health status and get advice on keeping yourself healthy and active. In particular, it can indicate whether you are at higher risk of certain diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and stroke.
If you're aged 40 to 74, and don't have a pre-existing health condition, you'll receive a text or a letter from your GP or local authority inviting you for a free check every 5 years.
From June 2025, all eligible patients in Kent with a registered mobile phone number on the NHS system will receive their invite by text.
If you have not already registered your mobile phone number with your GP you should do this via the NHS App or speak to your GP surgery.
If you don’t have a mobile phone, you will continue to be invited to book an appointment by letter. Patients will no longer receive follow up reminders by post.
What to expect
Your appointment will include general health questions about your family history and lifestyle as well as simple investigations.
The check takes about 20 to 30 minutes and usually includes:
- blood pressure
- height and weight
- waist measurement
- a simple finger stick test for cholesterol.
Following this, you will be given a cardiovascular risk score and personalised advice based on your results.
This can provide a great opportunity to review your current lifestyle and consider what changes you may be able to make to improve your health.
Further information can be found on the NHS Health Check website.
Where to get one
Most people will receive an invitation from their GP to book an appointment, either directly at their local practice or through a participating local pharmacy. However, some people may not be offered this service by their GP, or might want to have a check somewhere more convenient to them.
Some health checks are run locally by our provider Randox in a range of community settings. These may include:
- Randox clinics
- libraries
- leisure centres
- community centres
- family hubs
- places of worship
- cultural groups
- workplaces.
To find out where you can get a local heath check email primarycareprogrammesteam@kent.gov.uk .
Free blood pressure checks
Measuring your blood pressure is a simple and quick process but taking steps to ensure it is within the ‘normal’ range could save your life. High blood pressure can increase your risk of conditions such as heart attacks and strokes. Low blood pressure can increase your risk of conditions such as fainting and risk of falling.
You can check your blood pressure at home with a home blood pressure monitor or some pharmacies offer free blood pressure checks. Find your nearest participating pharmacy.
See further information on blood pressure on the NHS website.