Be Well Community Health Checks

Cardiovascular disease is the second largest cause of death in England. In Doncaster, around 39,000 residents are living with heart and circulatory diseases, and these are responsible for the deaths of 1 in 4 residents (BHF, 2023). To help identify individuals at risk of developing cardiovascular disease, from June 2023, Well Doncaster is piloting free Be Well Community Health Checks to residents in North Doncaster over the age of 18 years. The long-term aim of Be Well Health Checks is to help residents live healthier lives for longer. 

Be Well Health checks involve measurements of height and weight, waist to height ratio, and blood pressure. Residents are also asked some questions about their lifestyle and medical history to determine their alcohol risk, physical activity level, and type 2 diabetes risk. An overall 10-year cardiovascular disease risk score is also calculated. Additionally, some residents identified as being at higher risk of CVD may be invited back to have their cholesterol levels measured using a small finger prick blood sample.

All residents are provided with a written copy of their health results at the end of their health check, along with information and resources on physical activity, nutrition, sleep, stress, alcohol, and smoking. Residents can also be signposted to the Be Well Health Coaching service and other community support, such as Doncaster Mind, Aspire drug and alcohol services, The Sleep Charity, Get Doncaster Moving, and Be Well fibromyalgia, diabetes, and bereavement peer support groups.

Be Well Health Checks are solely community-based and therefore take place outside of traditional healthcare settings. For example, Be Well Health Checks have taken place at Woodlands Community Library and Hub, Sprotbrough Community Library, Adwick and Bentley Family Hubs, Whinfell Communal Hall, and a host of community events such as Bentley Park Summer Bonanza, Arksey Summer Fayre, Campsall Park Community Event, and Askern Family Sports Day.