Start the new year with a free health check

The Southern Prevention Assessment Tea holds regular sessions in Durrington, Goring, Lancing, Shoreham, Steyning and Littlehampton. Health checks are free and are available to anyone aged between 40 and 74 without an existing condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or kidney disease. They are run by health advisers and focus on preventing major causes of illness, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease – conditions which are often avoidable and a health check could help to identify any possible issues before a problem develops.

A check lasts for about half an hour and includes a blood pressure check, a cholesterol test, a discussion about family history and an assessment of lifestyle factors, such as smoking, and levels of physical activity.

Christine Field, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for community wellbeing, said: “Make one of your new year’s resolutions for 2014 a health-focused one and book yourself in for a free health check.

“Our modern lifestyles can have long-term health implications we might not necessarily be aware of. Having a health check is a chance to reassess your lifestyle and look at changing any factors to improve your health for the future.”

Sessions are confidential and must be booked in advance. Anyone who would like to book a check should call 01273 268900.

To find out more about the prevention assessment teams and health checks, visit the website www.westsussex.gov.uk/pat