If you live in the Cheshire West and Chester Council area and are aged 40-74, you could be eligible for a free health check.

The authority has launched a consultation to find out if a choice and variety of locations could influence the number of people taking up the Health Check scheme and are looking to hear from local residents.

Health checks are currently delivered by invitation in west Cheshire by GP practices and are offered to individuals aged 40 to 74 who do not already have an identified pre-existing condition.

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As we get older, we have a higher risk of developing conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease or type 2 diabetes. Your free NHS Health Check can spot early signs and help prevent these happening to you, which means you’ll be more likely to enjoy life for longer.

A Health Check normally takes less than half an hour and results are discussed with you, including advice on lifestyle changes and onward referrals for treatment if necessary.

Cabinet member for culture, leisure and wellbeing, Cllr Louise Gittins, said: “The council is dedicated to supporting our residents to thrive and as part of this we would like to make as many people as possible aware that they are potentially eligible for a Health Check, while making it quick and easy to take up.

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“As part of this we’re looking at whether improving the Health Checks scheme by making it more widely available, including at a range of times and venues, would increase the number of people benefitting from it.

“We want to know what you think about our ideas for a variety of locations where Health Checks could be undertaken. Your views will be used to help inform possible future changes to the way that Health Checks are delivered.”

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The consultation is now open and will run until Friday, June 17, with a range of ways that residents can express their views:

By completing the online survey or questionnaire, which both be found at www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/healthcheckviews

By emailing commissioningandcontracts@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

By calling 01244 976792

Or by writing to Health Checks Consultation, The Research Team, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Civic Way, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BE

For more information on what a Health Check involves please visit the http://www.healthcheck.nhs.uk/.