A health screen is an appointment for when nothing is wrong, or nothing you can put your finger on. It brings together a detailed consultation, laboratory tests, physical measurements and targeted checks to give you a picture of your health today and of the risks worth acting on. You leave with advice written for you and a plan for anything that needs attention.
What a health screen includes
The content is chosen with you, because a useful screen for a 30-year-old is not the same as one for a 60-year-old. It usually draws on:
- A consultation about your medical and family history, your medicines and how you live: sleep, alcohol, smoking, exercise, stress
- Measurements such as blood pressure, pulse, height, weight and waist
- Blood tests, for example cholesterol, blood sugar, kidney and liver function and a full blood count
- Further checks where your history points to them, such as an ECG or an ultrasound scan
What you take away
The clinician goes through each result with you: what was measured, what is normal for someone your age, and what yours means. Most results are reassuring. Where one is not, you are told what the next step is, whether that is a change you can make yourself, a repeat test in a few months, treatment, or a referral to a consultant.
Before you come
You may be asked not to eat for some hours before your blood is taken; we tell you when you book. Bring a list of your medicines and anything you know about illness in your close family, particularly heart disease, diabetes and cancer, and the age at which it started.
Good to know
A screen looks for risk and for early signs. It cannot rule out every illness, and a normal result is not a reason to ignore a new symptom later. Some tests can also raise questions that turn out to be nothing, which is why we explain what each one can and cannot tell you before you choose it. If you already have a symptom, a GP appointment is the better place to start.
Common questions
How long does it take? That depends on what your screen includes. You are told when you book.
When do I get my results? Measurements are discussed on the day. Laboratory results follow, with the clinician's explanation.
Is there a screen for men? Yes: see men's health screening. For women, see women's health.
