In partnership with all Herefordshire GP practices, Taurus Healthcare supports NHS Health Checks throughout the county. These are designed to spot the early signs of certain conditions that may affect your health and/or quality of life. For example, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke.

NHS Health Checks are offered to adults in England, aged 40-74 who do not have any pre-existing health conditions. Every five years, you can expect to be invited for your free Health Check, which will take place at your GP surgery or at a central location run by Taurus.

At the Health Check, an experienced NHS healthcare professional will ask you some questions and undertake some quick and pain-free health checks. These will include taking your blood pressure, finding out your cholesterol level and measuring your height and weight. They will then explain to you what your results mean and suggest any further actions that may be needed to improve your health and wellbeing.

You will receive a letter from your surgery inviting you to come forward for your check. If you haven’t received a letter, do not have any pre-existing health conditions and have not been for a Health Check within the last five years, please ask for more information from your GP surgery reception team.

Annual Health Checks are offered to anyone aged 14 or over who has a learning disability. However, many do not take up the offer for a number of reasons including worries about what they involve.

In this video, members of Herefordshire Health Checkers are featured to explain what Annual Health Checks are and why they are important. They also provide reassurance on some of the most common worries expressed by people with learning disabilities.

The support available at surgeries for patients with learning disabilities is outlined. This could include requesting reasonable adjustments such as quieter appointment times or bringing a trusted family member or friend with them to their appointment.

The Herefordshire Health Check Team says: 

"Going for a health check ...... isn't easy for everyone and it can make people feel anxious, worried, scared and unsure of what to expect.

"We have put together (a) short film(s) to tell you more about Annual Health Checks ..... so that you know more about them and what to expect from them and why it is so important to keep your body healthy."