Research has demonstrated that routine general health screening is of very limited value so we do not recall patients for (or offer) routine checks. However, we will offer a free NHS health check to all patients between 45 and 74 who have no known chronic conditions to check their height, weight, BP and cholesterol and offer advice where needed.

Checking your blood pressure at home is by far the best way to monitor it as this gives a much better representation of what your BP is like when you are living your daily life - which is what matters. If you have a family history of high blood pressure or you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension) yourself, it is an essential and inexpensive investment in your health. For instructions on how best to check your BP at home, please see here.

In the UK we have a number of formal screening programmes to detect potential problems in people who don't have any symptoms.

• in Pregnancy.
• all Newborn babies.
• Diabetes - screening for complications such as eye and foot problems annually if you have diabetes.
• Cervical Cancer - women aged 25 to 49 (every 3 years), 50 to 64 (every 5 years) here at the surgery by our practice nurses.
• Breast Cancer - women aged 50 to 70 (over 70 can self-refer), you will be invited to go to the breast screening unit.
• Bowel Cancer - every 2 years between 60 and 74 (sent directly to your home).
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) - for men in the year they turn 65.

There is no UK national screening programme for Prostate Cancer - this is because the benefits have not been shown to outweigh the risks. If you would like to talk about prostate cancer screening then please speak to your GP, but you may find the following link useful. A useful guide to symptoms of possible prostate cancer are here.

Smoking

We strongly advise our patients to avoid smoking but we do not in any way discriminate against smokers. If you need help to stop smoking then please click here.

Alcohol

The current recommended maximum healthy intake of alcohol is 21 units/week for a man and 14 units/week for a woman. (1 unit = pint beer, 1 glass of wine or 1 single measure of spirits).

Exercise

We advise exercise sufficient to cause mild breathlessness for 20 minutes, 3 times a week

Diet

Avoid crash diets. Instead try to develop a healthy eating pattern that avoids weight gain, is high in fibre, low in sugars and animal fats

For help with all these aspects of your lifestyle, please contact Livewell Dorset