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GPs Warn: Local Councils Limit Vital Health Checks
5 Feb
Summary
- GPs warn that local council funding caps risk patient access to NHS Health Checks.
- Over half of surveyed local authorities have placed limits on these screenings.
- Some councils fund only 10-15% of eligible patients annually for these checks.
Leading General Practitioners (GPs) have voiced serious concerns that patients may miss out on essential health screenings due to local council limitations on NHS Health Checks. These screenings, often termed a "mid-life MOT", are designed for individuals aged 40 to 74 without pre-existing conditions, offered every five years to identify risks for serious illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.
A recent investigation by GP magazine Pulse found that 72 out of 151 local authorities in England have imposed caps on the number of checks they will fund. While some councils ensure all eligible patients are covered within a five-year cycle, 11 authorities will only fund checks for 10-15% of their eligible population each year.
This restrictive funding model means that if every eligible patient sought a check-up every five years, GP surgeries would not receive adequate reimbursement. Medical professionals emphasize that these checks are vital for identifying asymptomatic individuals with conditions such as diabetes or hyperlipidaemia, and limiting them hinders early diagnosis and preventative care.
Representatives from the Royal College of GPs and the Local Government Association acknowledged budget pressures faced by councils. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson stated that over 75% of eligible populations were invited for checks in the past five years and highlighted plans for an online check and broader cardiovascular prevention strategies.
