Practice to offer free check-ups to people turning 65

Friday 11 September 2020

Queens Road Medical Practice will offer a free health check to all islanders who turn 65 this year.

Led by the nursing team, the appointment will take 30 minutes and include a health and lifestyle questionnaire, blood test and assessment for a range of illnesses including risk of heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, stroke and mental ill health.

Queens Road's Chief Executive Officer Will Pierce said the offer applies to anyone who has turned or will turn 65 this year, irrespective of whether they are currently registered with the practice. 

“We’re always looking at how we can enhance our services for islanders to support a healthier and happier population and we hope these new free health checks will have a positive impact," he said. 

Pictured: The checks, which are funded by the Health Innovation Charitable Trust, are designed to spot early signs of illness and offer an opportunity to discuss ways of lowering risk factors.

“Preventative health is a big focus for Queens Road as we recognise that identifying and addressing health needs before they turn into a serious issue is hugely beneficial in improving patients’ health and wellbeing.”

The service will run for a trial period of three years. All participating patients will be issued with a written report, a copy of which will be sent to their own GP.

It was announced earlier this year that Queens Road had signed a four-year contract with the States of Guernsey that will see them feature as one of the five key players in HSC's 'Partnership of Purpose'. 

"The agreement reached with Queens Road Medical Practice provides specific opportunity for enhanced partnership working between the practice and HSC over the next four years building on the work we’ve already undertaken together on familial hypercholesterolaemia testing, where early indications have shown really positive results," said the States back in July. 

"Discussions are ongoing to develop a programme of work, focussing on trialling new initiatives to improve health outcomes."