AS part of a new £9m contract with health providers starting next April, Hampshire County Council is aiming to increase the uptake of checks by Hampshire residents, particularly those most at risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Patricia Stallard, the county council’s executive member for public health, said: “The county council is responsible for ensuring Hampshire residents aged 40 to 75 are invited for regular health reviews by their GP surgeries.

“Currently, just under half of those invited take up the offer of a check. This is something we want to see improve, so through a new contract with GPs and other health providers we are aiming to increase this, particularly among patients considered most at risk of cardiovascular disease.

“To do this, we are working with the Swan Medical Group in Petersfield to test a wide range of ways to increase participation. Learning from this trial will be shared with other health providers to help increase the numbers attending, particularly from high-risk groups.”

The NHS Health Check programme aims to prevent heart disease, stroke, type two diabetes and kidney disease, and raise awareness of dementia both across the population and within high risk and vulnerable groups.

Health checks are normally undertaken by practice nursing teams. Once the health assessment is complete, people receiving a check are given appropriate advice to help them manage and reduce their risk of becoming unwell. This advice will be tailored to suit the person’s individual needs.

“If necessary, people will be directed to either county council-commissioned public health support services, such as weight management support, or referred for a clinical follow up with their GP.