Thousands of free NHS Health Checks completed thanks to city council initiative

NHS Health Checks in Stoke-on-Trent have increased this year, which is a positive step towards improving the health of the city.

In the first quarter of this year, the city council has been very proactive through its catch-up programme and sent out more health check invites than the national average, which has resulted in 2,181 completed checks. 

This represents an increase in participation rate from last year, which was 24.6%. It is now over a quarter, with 25.9% of people invited now having their health checks.  

This is a big improvement and contributes towards creating a healthier standard of living for all our citizens in the city, as outlined in our Corporate Strategy.  

Councillor Lynn Watkins, cabinet member for health and wellbeing said: “This increase in people taking up the offer of a free health check is pleasing to see. 

“These free health checks are vital to the health and wellbeing of Stoke-on-Trent, because it is important that people take advantage of them and see if they have any health conditions that can be prevented before they become worse. 

“I encourage everybody who is invited for a free health check by their GP to make an appointment and look after their health.” 

We are currently reviewing our methods to launch a new contract by April 2025, with the goal of making health checks more accessible. The aim of this to reduce health inequalities in both invitation and uptake.  

For more information on NHS Health Checks, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/ 

To schedule an appointment for a health check, please contact your GP or local pharmacy.