A scheme offering free NHS ‘MOTs’ that help spot a range of health conditions has been extended to include eight additional venues in Barking and Dagenham.
The nationwide programme, which is available to people between the ages of 40 and 74 who do not have a pre-existing condition, offers the chance to have a health check-up intended to identify stroke, kidney and heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia.
The health check has been available at doctors’ surgeries for some time but has been extended to increase the availability for residents.
People are entitled to one free check every five years and can visit any of the participating venues and book-in for an assessment.
Research from NHS England suggest that for every 27 people checked, one person is diagnosed with high blood pressure and one in 265 is discovered to have kidney disease.
Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health Integration, said: “It’s all too easy to think ‘it will never happen to me’ and that is why these NHS MOT check-ups are so important – they’re free and they’re designed to give you a peace of mind or help make a plan of action to rectify any issues.
“By spotting any signs early, you could potentially make lifestyle changes that could significantly reduce or even eliminate the risk altogether.”
The eight pharmacies added to the scheme include:
- Talati Chemist, Heathway Dagenham
- Thomas Pharmacy, Ripple Road Barking
- Hannigan Pharmacy, Bennett’s Castle Lane, Dagenham
- Alvin Rose, Longbridge Road, Dagenham
- Sandbern, Green Lane, Dagenham
- Oxlow Pharmacy, Oxlow Lane, Dagenham
- Kry-Ba, Goresbrook Road, Dagenham
- Waller Chemist, Heathway, Dagenham