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The Workplace Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Health Checks Pilot grant scheme was launched in March this year by the Department for Health and Social Care, with local authorities across the country invited to apply for funding.
North Somerset Council is one of 48 authorities to successfully secure funding. The council’s public health team has been awarded £124,800 to run the pilot scheme locally and aims to deliver 2,600 heath checks to people in their place of work between September and the end of March 2025.
Every year, the existing NHS Health Check programme engages over 1.3 million people in England. It aims to prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease and some cases of dementia among adults aged 40-74 years, and prevents an estimated 300 premature deaths annually.
However, many people who are eligible for the checks do not come forward. According to government data, more than 16 million people are eligible for an NHS Health Check every five years but only 39.9% of those offered a check have completed one.
The new workplaces pilot aims to broaden the ways in which the Health Checks programme is delivered, making it more convenient for people to complete a check so they can understand and improve their cardiovascular health.
The council’s Healthy Workplaces team will work with local businesses and organisations to target the health checks to areas where uptake of the NHS Health Check is low and to people who will benefit most.
Cllr Jenna Ho Marris, North Somerset Council’s executive member with responsibility for public health, said:
“I’m delighted we’ve secured this funding and that North Somerset will be one of the areas taking part in this national pilot programme. It’s part of our continuing commitment to help people live healthier lives and tackle health inequalities.
"Sadly, cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death and disability in England but 80 per cent of CVD is preventable. Identifying risk factors such as high blood pressure early, means we can help people to get the support and treatment they need to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease and avoid heart attacks and strokes - helping people to live well for longer.
“By delivering CVD health checks in targeted workplaces, we hope to reach people who are at higher risk of CVD and are less likely take up the offer of a check. There can be a number of barriers to going for your health check including taking time off work.
"We also know there’s a lower uptake of health checks in areas of deprivation and that people working in manual jobs can be more at risk of CVD. So, our Healthy Workplaces team will focus on engaging with employers including factories, care settings, agriculture, tourism and the hospitality sector, to make sure we can reach the people who will benefit most from this support.”
Businesses interested in finding out more about the pilot workplace health checks can email healthyworkplaces@n-somerset.gov.uk.
For advice and support on how to lead a healthier lifestyle visit the Better Health North Somerset website at www.betterhealthns.co.uk.