Your local NHS is now making it easier for you to stay healthier for longer, by introducing free NHS Health Checks to six local pharmacies from Wednesday 8 September. The Health Check is available to everyone aged between 40 and 74 and can see if someone is at risk of developing serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease. During the quick 20 minute Health Check fully-trained pharmacists will ask questions about a person’s lifestyle, family history and current medication.  They will record a person’s weight, sex, height, blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels to get a result, which will be explained in full at the end of the check.  Everyone who takes the check will be given advice and information on improving their health.  Anyone who needs more specialist help will be referred to a GP, or a more appropriate NHS service. Dr David McCoy, NHS Hammersmith and Fulham Acting Director of Public Health, said: “In Hammersmith and Fulham around 13,500 residents are affected by heart disease, stroke, diabetes or kidney disease and sadly they account for 37% of deaths in the borough each year.  The good news is these health problems can be prevented, controlled, or even reversed, which is why we’ve introduced the free NHS Health Check at six community pharmacies.  “People who are overweight, smoke, have high blood pressure or cholesterol, and take little exercise are at greatest risk of developing the diseases Health Checks can diagnose. Even if you feel well it’s a good idea to be checked.  These common diseases and conditions often don’t have any obvious symptoms and are not picked up until it’s too late and that’s what we want to avoid.” You do not need an appointment to have a free NHS Health Check at one of the following six pharmacies: • Healthside Pharmacy, 90 Shepherds Bush Road. W6 7PD • Parmay Pharmacy, 122  - 124 North End Pharmacy. W14 9PP • Bush Pharmacy, 334 Uxbridge Road. W12 7LL • Westway Pharmacy, 11 Westway. W12 0PT • Fulham Pharmacy, 608 Fulham Road. SW6 5RP • Boots the Chemist, Unit 5 – 6 The West 12 Centre, Shepherds Bush. W12 8PP In addition to offering NHS Health Checks at six local pharmacies, NHS Hammersmith and Fulham has organised teams of healthcare professionals to carry out the checks at a range of community events during the next 12 months.  Look out for information on the events online at www.hf.nhs.uk and in the local press.  Alternatively, if you are aged between 40 and 74, you can request to have a Health Check carried out by your GP. For information about Health Checks visit www.nhs.uk or call the national NHS Health Checks helpline on 0845 850 9850.  Alternatively, call NHS Hammersmith and Fulham’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 0800 389 9092 to find out more about Health Checks locally.

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