KIRKLEES is one of the worst performing areas in England for delivering health checks, a survey shows.
A new report from Diabetes UK has highlighted that during 2011/12 only 1,982 of the 99,100 eligible people were offered one of the checks, which test people aged 40 to 74 for risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and kidney failure.
At just 2% it’s well below the England average of 13.9%.
Diabetes UK say that the low number means health bodies may have missed the chance to identify patients at risk.
Linda Wood, Regional Manager for Diabetes UK Yorkshire, said: “The failure to properly implement the NHS Health Check in Kirklees has potentially dire consequences.
“It means that people at high risk of Type 2 diabetes are missing out the information and support to make the lifestyle changes that can help prevent it.”
“The poor implementation of the NHS Health Check in Kirklees is a tragic failure.”
Diabetes UK is urging people aged 40 to 74 who have not had an NHS Health Check to contact their GP to ask for one.
