Innovative program of workplace health checks introduced in England

More than 130,000 people across England will benefit from workplace health checks being trialed to help protect people from preventable diseases, the government has said, reports The Guardian.

The checkups, which began on August 30 and can be completed by employees at their workplace, involve recording a range of information via a questionnaire for each patient.  

The answers are used to determine their risk for various cardiovascular conditions, and will be considered the equivalent of a National Health Service appointment.

They will initially be available in industries including the building, hospitality and transport sectors, while digital health checks at home will be piloted in the local authorities of Norfolk, Medway, and Lambeth.

Andrew Gwynne, the minister for public health and prevention, said: “We know so many deadly diseases can be avoided if we seek help in enough time. That’s why we’re working to improve access to treatment while also taking steps to address the preventable causes of cardiovascular disease.”

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