NHS Health Checks in North Tyneside will now take place in community centres as well as GP practices to improve uptake.
The pilot scheme has been launched by the local council in collaboration with public health nurses.
People aged 40 to 74 will be able to have the standard NHS Health Check which measures blood pressure, BMI, and cholesterol. The check takes approximately 30 minutes can be accessed without an appointment. The pilot was launched after local figures found that some sections of the population are less likely to visit their general practice surgery. For example, statistics showed that men are less likely then women to go to their general practice for a health check.
Gillian Emmerson, public health nurse lead for Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'We are encouraging people to have an NHS Health Check. Your blood pressure, cholesterol and BMI will be checked and the nurses can offer personalised advice and support to help you improve your health and wellbeing.'
The results of the tests will be discussed with a public health nurse, who will then give information and advice on potential lifestyle changes, or signpost patients to appropriate services if necessary. The health checks are being targeted at people who have not been diagnosed with heart disease, hypertension or have experienced a stroke.
Ms Emmerson added: 'We can offer lots of information about the range of services and support available for a healthier lifestyle.'
The pilot will run for the next 12 weeks, and will be taking place at local Customer First Centres in North Shields and Wallsend every Tuesday and Thursday between 11am and 1pm. For the first week of the pilot, the times are extended to four hours, running from 10am until 2pm, to help raise awareness of the scheme.