CompletedInterventional

Evaluation of the NHS Health Check programme: working with people and communities workstream

The NHS Health Check is a free health review for people aged 40-74, offered every five years. It's designed to spot early signs of serious health conditions like heart disease. However, many eligible people don't attend. This study aims to find out why. Researchers will talk to and survey people who haven't had a check-up to understand the reasons. The goal is to identify barriers and develop better ways to encourage more people to attend, ensuring more individuals can benefit from these important preventative checks. It's part of a bigger project to improve the NHS Health Check programme for everyone.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

Imperial College London

Enrolment target

230

Start

05 Dec 2025

Estimated completion

31 Mar 2026

Persons encountering health services for examination and investigation

What is this study about?

Imagine your car needing a regular service to prevent big problems down the road. The NHS Health Check is a bit like that for your body. It's a free health review offered every five years to people aged 40 to 74 who don't already have certain health conditions. The main aim is to find early signs of heart and circulation issues, like high blood pressure or cholesterol, and help you take steps to stay healthy before problems start. It's a fantastic way to catch things early and get advice on how to live well.

However, we know that only about half of the people who can get this check actually go. This study wants to understand why. Researchers will be speaking to and giving questionnaires to people who haven't attended their NHS Health Check. They want to hear directly from you about any difficulties or reasons that might have stopped you from going. This information is really important because it will help make the NHS Health Check programme better and easier for everyone to access.

The findings from this study will help us understand the main reasons why people miss their checks and how these reasons might differ for various groups of people. It's all about figuring out how to best support everyone to get the most out of these valuable health checks, ultimately aiming to improve the health of people across the UK.

Key takeaways

This study aims to understand why people miss their NHS Health Checks.
It involves questionnaires and interviews, not medical procedures.
Participation could help improve future health services for others.
It's for people aged 40-74 who haven't had a check in 5 years.
The study has very low risks and is conducted by Imperial College London.
You can withdraw at any time.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for people who fit certain criteria. You need to be between 40 and 74 years old.

It's important that you haven't had an NHS Health Check in the last five years. Also, you shouldn't have been diagnosed with diabetes or heart and circulation conditions already.

If you're outside this age range, or if you've recently had an NHS Health Check, or if you already have diabetes or heart disease, then this particular study wouldn't be suitable for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you aged between 40 and 74 years old?
Have you NOT had an NHS Health Check in the last 5 years?
Have you NOT been diagnosed with diabetes?
Have you NOT been diagnosed with a heart or circulation condition already?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will be asked to complete questionnaires and participate in interviews. These will explore your experiences and reasons for not attending an NHS Health Check. There are no visits required beyond your participation in interviews or questionnaires, and no medication or follow-up health assessments are involved. The study is scheduled to run from December 2025 to March 2026.

Potential risks and benefits

By taking part, you might learn more about the NHS Health Check programme, which could encourage you to attend this important preventative check in the future. This study is considered very low risk; no significant risks are expected. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your routine medical care.

Locations (1)

Grand Union Health Centre
Approximate
London, England

Common questions

What is an NHS Health Check?

It's a free check-up for people aged 40-74, designed to spot early signs of health conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

Who is running this study?

The study is being run by researchers at Imperial College London, funded by the UK Government.

Will I have to take any medicine or have medical tests?

No, this study only involves answering questions and participating in interviews, not medical tests or medicines.

How long will the study go on for?

The study is planned to take place between December 2025 and March 2026.

What happens to the information I give?

Your information will be used to understand why people miss their NHS Health Checks and help improve the programme for everyone.

How to find out more

Holly Young

hyoung1@ic.ac.uk - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.