The government has announced that new digital NHS health checks are to be introduced from spring next year.
It is hoped that these checks could help to identify tens of thousands of cases of hypertension, helping to prevent hundreds of strokes and heart attacks.
It is believed that each digital check could save 20 minutes of NHS time, which has the potential to free up hundreds of thousands of primary care appointments.
The current NHS Health Check has already helped to prevent heart attack and stroke cases, however, it currently operates as a face to face check up for adults aged between 40 to 74.
The check, commissioned by local authorities and for the most part delivered through GP surgeries, it can help spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia.
Around 1.3 million health checks are delivered each year, identifying 315,000 people living with obesity and 33,000 cases of hypertension, and preventing over 400 strokes and heart attacks.
From spring 2024 the new digital check will operate alongside the existing in-person NHS Health Check.
There is an expectancy that this implementation of digital checks will help to deliver an additional one million checks over 4 years and ease pressure on GP surgeries.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay, says: “Thousands of heart attacks and strokes could be prevented every year through simple health checks, which would save lives and ease pressure on the NHS.
“This new digital check-up will mean people can do simple tests and get tailored advice from homes while reducing pressure on GP services.
“This programme is the latest example of how we are using technology to cut waiting times, one of the government’s 5 priorities, improve diagnosis and treatment.”
Cardiovascular disease is the second biggest killer in England and affects around 6.4 million people. The new digital check will help to identify 200,000 people who could benefit from the use of statins, 30,000 cases of hypertension – persistently high blood pressure – and prevent around 400 heart attacks and strokes over the first 4 years.
Patients will be able to access the digital health check through their mobile phone, tablet or computer. Results will be available online and direct those to personalised advice to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke as well as advice to stop smoking and weight management support where appropriate. Referrals to GPs will only be made if further tests and treatment are needed – helping to reduce demand on GP services.
