Reaching high-risk communities - NHS Health Checks in Enfield

In 2014-15 Enfield had the eighth highest modelled prevalence rate of CVD across London and a higher proportion of people diagnosed with diabetes than in London or England. As a result, considerable effort and progress has been made towards achieving the national uptake ambition of 66%.

Between December 2013 and December 2014 Enfield more than doubled the number of residents who had participated in an NHS Health Check by delivering a targeted outreach programme. Enfield wanted to build on this success and increase uptake among more deprived communities. To achieve a proactive approach was adopted to make NHS Health Checks more accessible through the use of community venues such as schools, the local over 50s forum, Jobsnet, a nursing home and the wellbeing centre.

This increased the opportunities for residents to access an NHS Health Check in a known and trusted environment. Importantly for the local authority it has the benefit of increasing partnership working with Enfield’s vibrant voluntary and community sector, many of whom work directly with people from high-risk populations.

For more information on the Enfield NHS Health Check Programme contact Julie Boyd, public health manager, Enfield Council at julie.boyd@enfield.gov.uk