Workplace health checks are being introduced in England to tackle preventable diseases

More than 130,000 people in England will benefit from the trial of workplace health checks to protect people from preventable diseases, the government says.

The checks, which begin on August 30 and can be carried out by employees at their workplace, involve recording a range of information via a questionnaire for each patient. The answers will be used to determine their risk of various cardiovascular conditions and are considered the equivalent of an NHS appointment.

They will initially be available in sectors including construction, hospitality and transport, while at-home digital health checks will be trialled in Norfolk, Medway and Lambeth local authorities.

Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Health and Prevention, said: “We know that so many deadly diseases could be avoided if we seek help early. That’s why we are working to improve access to treatment while taking action to tackle the preventable causes of heart disease.

“This innovative new programme is an important step towards community-led healthcare and supporting economic productivity by improving health, shifting the focus from treatment to prevention, relieving pressure on the NHS and helping people live better for longer.”

More than 16 million people are eligible for an NHS health check, but data shows that only around 40% of those invited complete it. This is particularly true for men, who are less likely to seek help but more likely to develop heart disease than women.

The new program aims to reach more people through their workplace and make it easier for them to understand and improve their cardiovascular health.

David Hargroves, the NHS national clinical director for stroke, said: “Health checks can save lives. They can prevent people from developing largely preventable diseases such as heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and liver disease.

“Municipalities are exploring new ways to increase uptake, by targeting individuals or communities at increased risk, and using proactive outreach programs to reach those communities that are less likely to visit their GP.

“However, more can be done and by working together with municipalities and employers we can ensure that more people get a health check and hopefully prevent them from becoming ill later.”

The digital initiative is expected to deliver 1 million checks in its first four years, with plans to make it a national service, alongside in-person checks.