East Riding Announced as a Pilot Area for Workplace Health Checks

Saturday, 31 August 2024 06:00

By Matthew Pells

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has been successful in securing funding for a pilot scheme providing NHS health checks in workplaces.

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has funded 48 Local Authorities to run the pilot scheme until the end of March 2025.

All workplaces in the East Riding, from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), micro-enterprises, to large public sector organisations can host workplace NHS health checks for free – for employees aged 30 to 74.

Councillor Jonathan Owen, cabinet member for public health said:

“These checks save lives, and it’s estimated that nationally 300 premature deaths per year are prevented through the programme. However, only about 40 percent of people who are offered a check, take it up.

”By offering health checks in local workplaces, from the hospitality sector, to transport, construction, and social care, it will make it easier and more convenient for people to get a check and look after themselves.

“We would like our local employers to support people to stay well in work, and in turn organisations will benefit through improved productivity and less sickness.“

NHS health checks aim to prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and some cases of dementia amongst adults aged 30-74 years old, helping people to live well for longer.

The health check involves calculating a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease through assessing the seven main risk factors; smoking status, body mass index (BMI), alcohol consumption, physical activity level, cholesterol level, blood pressure, and blood sugar level. A person is then supported to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease through behaviour change interventions and preventative action.

Organisations who would like to host workplace NHS health checks should get in touch by email: healthatwork@eastriding.gov.uk

The workplace NHS health checks announcement comes ahead of Know your Numbers week, running Monday 2 to Friday 6 September, encouraging residents to get a free NHS health check in one of several local venues.