This health check will provide information to help us catch any problems early, and for you to make informed choices to be in control of your own health
Physical health can affect mental wellbeing and mental health problems can also affect physical health. Also people with mental health difficulties tend to have more physical health problems than the rest of the population, so we are committed to improving this and offer all our patients with SMI (Severe Mental Illness) an annual check to help you manage your health well.
What we can offer you at your physical health check
At this appointment, which will take about 20 minutes, you will see our Health Care Assistant (HCA). With your agreement the appointment will include a few questions around your physical health (alcohol use and smoking), physical checks (height, weight and blood pressure) and a blood test (to check for diabetes and to obtain your cholesterol level). We can also offer you advice on your diet, support to stop smoking and other ways of staying healthy.
We understand that, for some people, these may feel difficult topics to talk about and / or checks to undergo, so our HCAs will be sensitive and compassionate throughout the appointment. We will not judge or criticise you for your physical health but will be here to support you to improve it.
What we can offer you next
The information obtained from this health check will allow your GP to be in touch quickly if there are any health issues arising from the results that might require further investigation or treatment. To avoid any anxiety you might feel, we will also contact you if there is no need for a further appointment.
You will also have the opportunity to be directed to other trained support workers / volunteers to talk about your lifestyle. They will be able to advise and support you on any simple adjustments you could make to improve your health and you will also be able to ask them any questions you may have. Should you require it, further help will be available for losing weight; stopping smoking; exercise plans; etc. We may also be able to offer you support and advice from our Clinical Pharmacist, social prescriber, smoking cessation nurse, peer support worker / volunteer as suits your needs.
We are happy for you to bring a friend, family member or support worker along with you to the appointment.
Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to help you get to this appointment and to make sure it is accessible to you. If you have a disability or impairment that affects communication or you require an interpreter or information in an alternative format (e.g. large print) or community language (including BSL), please contact us so that we can provide you with that support. Requests can be made by either email or telephone using the details in the accompanying letter.
