About Having a health check

This information covers

What a health check is
How to get a health check
How to find out more information about health checks

What a health check is

A health check is when the doctor checks if you are healthy.

health check

You don’t need to be ill to get a health check.

But you can ask your doctor about anything that is hurting or worrying you.

It is a good idea to have a health check 1 time every year.

clock

Health checks normally take between half an hour and 1 hour but you can leave whenever you want.

nhs building

Health checks happen at the doctors.

Your doctor should do some of your health check.

A nurse might do some as well.

chaperone

You can ask someone to come to your health check with you if you want.

clinical team

At a health check the doctor or nurse will check things like

how much you weigh
your eyes
any medicine you take
if you are feeling happy or sad what food you eat.

There is a list of everything they should check at the end of this leaflet.

mens health

The doctor or nurse might ask you to take some of your clothes off so they can check things like

your chest
your tummy

blood tests

Your doctor might want to check your wee.

You can bring this with you in a bottle.

Or your doctor can give you a bottle to wee in when you come to the doctors.

You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.

You can say no to any part of the health check if you are unhappy.

appointment

After your health check the doctor or nurse will say if you need to go and see any other people that can help you.

How to get a health check

health check

Lots of people with a learning disability can get a health check.

doctor female talking

You can speak to your doctor to find out if you can get a health check.

Some doctors don’t do health checks.
If your doctor does not do health checks, you may still be able to have a health check somewhere else.
Ask your doctor to tell you about another doctor that will give you a health check.

Money

If you can have a health check you don’t need to pay for it.

question

You can ask someone to help you get a health check if you want

friends

You can ask someone like

your carer
someone in your family
staff who support you.

How to find out more information about health checks

friends

If you want to know more about having a health check you can speak to

your family
someone in your support team
your doctor
Mencap Direct.

mencap

Mencap Direct can answer questions about things to do with learning disabilities

Their phone number is 0808 808 1111.
Their email address is help@mencap.org.uk

Everything that should be checked in your health check

You can use this list to make sure your doctor or nurse checks everything you want them to.

If you don’t want your doctor or nurse to check some of these things just tell them.

Has your doctor or nurse checked

How much you weigh

Yes
No

How tall are you

Yes
No

What food you eat

Yes
No

What exercise you do

Yes
No

If you smoke

Yes
No

If you drink alcohol

Yes
No

Your blood pressure

Blood pressure means how fast your blood moves around your body. If blood moves around your body too fast it could make you unhealthy.

Yes
No

Your heart

Yes
No

How you breathe

Yes
No

Your eyes

Yes
No

Your ears

Yes
No

What medicine you take

Yes
No

Your wee

Yes
No

Any other tests you have had

For example you might have had your balls checked if you are a man.

Yes
No

Any tests you might need

For example you might need your breasts checked if you are a woman.

Yes
No

A check of any other illnesses or problems you have

For example you might have epilepsy.

Yes
No

A blood test if you need one?

Yes
No

Need a printed version?

We understand the need that printed formats are often extremely helpful.

Download a printable copy or contact the practice and we would be happy to supply you with one.

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