The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has selected Norfolk County Council, Medway Council, and Lambeth Council to pilot Digital NHS Health Checks to identify the risk of cardiovascular disease. This pilot program will commence in early 2025, with the aim of rolling out the service nationwide.
Through the NHS App, residents in these areas will be able to take the digital checks for hypertension from the comfort of their homes. The results will be automatically recorded in their GP electronic health records, streamlining the process for both patients and healthcare providers.
The initiative, announced by DHSC in August 2024, is expected to conduct around one million checks within the first four years of its launch. Councillor Bill Borrett of Norfolk County Council expressed enthusiasm for the program, highlighting its potential to reach residents in need of health checks, especially in areas with traditionally low uptake.
Patients will have the convenience of accessing the digital health check through their mobile devices or computers. By completing an online questionnaire and providing key health measurements, individuals will receive personalized advice on how to reduce their risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks or strokes.
This digital health check initiative builds upon the existing in-person NHS Health Checks, which have proven to be effective in identifying various health conditions. By extending this service digitally, DHSC aims to reduce the burden on GP services while increasing accessibility for eligible individuals across the country.
The decision to implement digital health checks follows a recommendation from the 2021 ‘NHS Health Check review’, emphasizing the importance of preventive healthcare measures for the population. With millions of people eligible for NHS Health Checks, this digital initiative seeks to improve participation rates and ultimately enhance public health outcomes.
