​Health checks put Bury near the top of the prevention league

Bury is rated among the best in England for making sure people receive health checks which could prevent them from developing serious illnesses.

The latest NHS Health Check ranks Bury 3^rd out of 152 local authorities and the 2^nd highest in Greater Manchester.

The health check focuses on adults aged 40-74 and is designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia.

Jeff Schryer, chair of NHS Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “As we get older, we have a higher risk of developing one of these conditions, and an NHS Health Check helps find ways to lower this risk. Adults aged 40-74 without a pre-existing condition can expect to receive a letter from their GP or local authority inviting them for a free NHS Health Check every five years.

“This rating is testament to the joint working between the CCG, Bury Council, primary care and not least to the hard work of the GP practices.”

Figures from Public Health England show that 69.8% of eligible people in Bury had received a health check since 2014. This compares to the average for England of 37% and the North West average of 40%.

The health checks are commissioned by the council from its public health grant.

Councillor Andrea Simpson, Bury Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We’ve always known that prevention is better than cure, and this is even more vital with an ageing population and the increasing demands this places on health services and social care.

“Helping people to take ownership of their health and wellbeing is one of the council’s top priorities and, by working ever more closely with our partners, we can help to bring about real and long-lasting benefits for Bury residents.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 3 September 2018.