THE current NHS Health Check scheme is to be scrapped in Hillingdon after a report showed only 45% of eligible people had taken it up.

It is offered to everyone aged 40–74 to prevent premature death from heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and type 2 diabetes.

Hillingdon was named in the Medicspot report as among the least proactive places in England when it comes to health.

This was due to the low number of people who took part in the scheme over the last five years.

The Government is replacing the scheme with a digital version that saves people needing to book face-to-face appointments with their GP.

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Of the 77,949 eligible people in Hillingdon, 67% were offered a free NHS Health Check between 2014 and 2019.

Dr Johnson D’souza, Medical Director and GP at Medicspot, advised: “People aged 40–74 who don’t get a Health Check every five years are at an increased risk of undetected cardiovascular disease.

“It is very worrying that only 45% of people who were eligible in Hillingdon took up the offer.”

Despite the planned overhaul, people in Hillingdon can still get a Health Check from their GP or pharmacist. You can request one yourself by contacting Hillingdon Council for more information.