Annual blood checks

[Puzzled8]

Hi, we moved to a new area 2 years ago so registered at new gp practice. At previous surgery, we were always called for annual blood checks. This doesn’t seem to be happening anymore. Just wondering if things have changed. I did call after first year here and was given an appointment with the nurse, who said that we should be getting called in birth month each year. My husband hasn’t been called at all (history of TIAs). Are others being checked annually ? Thanks.

[Hidden]

Hello

As far as I am aware you should be checked annually if you have health condition with blood tests as well as med reviews

I would contact the surgery and put this to them they should be doing these checks

Let us know how you get on x

[Puzzled8 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for replying. I agree with you, but we all know how things have changed and some gp practices are more on the ball than others. I will let you know how I get on . Take care x

[Hidden in reply to Puzzled8]

Hello

I agree things have changed but even by these changes this is a long time to be going without a review but I d hope you get one soon x

[Hidden]

Dear You

if your Drs is anything like mine you have to take back control.

I don't wait any longer for blood test reminders etc, but I now remind them.

Keep a diary and just phone and chase them when your appointments should be due, better if you can E/Mail them as they have to reply to it.

The world has changed and so has how we are treated by our Drs and their staff. { not always for the best }

Its your health { and husbands } time to realise that only you can get the results you need.

I was moved onto my Drs Critical Care team which was even worse than just being under the Dr who I'm now back with.

Take care

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to Hidden]

No, ours doesn’t do them routinely. If I have an appt for anything they seem to take the opportunity do BP and set of bloods.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Kristin1812]

l am surprised to hear that your surgery doesn’t do routine health checks. I would enquire why? I have friends in various parts of the country and it is the norm.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to Cavalierrubie]

I looked it up, being a bit confused! It seems an annual review is meant to be done for any age, if they”ve had a heart attack. Most, but not all of us, here.

For the rest (who haven't had a heart attack) if they are between 40 and 74, they get a five yearly review. Under 40s dont.

My GP is also opportunistic. Doing these checks if I have an appointment with him or one of the nurses, for something else,

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Kristin1812]

OK. Glad you have got it sorted out for you. So you should be having a yearly check if you have a heart condition? Your GP is opportunistic and not really playing ball. Like Blue said you have to take control of your care these days. Look after yourself and make sure someone at the surgery is looking after you. Xx

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Thank you for your comments.

Just to clarify. The guidance says you get a yearly check if you have had a Heart Attack, not ‘heart condition’.

I’m. pretty happy with how things are with my GPs. Works well. A nice partnership.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Kristin1812]

OK. I would have thought it would have covered a heart condition as all conditions have to be monitored, but who am l? If you are happy with random checks and feel you are looked after properly then that is all that matters. 👍

[Puzzled8 in reply to Kristin1812]

Thank you. Was wondering what was happening elsewhere. Seems to be bit of the usual postcode lottery.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to Puzzled8]

Yes. Thats posdible. We do know what pressure they are now under, so perhaps some things are slipping?

[Puzzled8 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. Totally agree that we have to take control. I’ll be chasing them. My husband is one of those who doesn’t like to rock the boat but I’ll be chasing for him too. Our surgery isn’t the best - scored quite low on the patient satisfaction survey last year.

[Hidden in reply to Puzzled8]

Even more reason to keep on top of it, well done you, us little people can fight as well as the rest.

Take care

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Hidden]

Well said Blue. 👏

[Beta70]

It seems to depend on where you live. Prior to Lockdown I was given regular health checks, blood pressure, blood tests and weighed and measured in spite of at the time only suffering from arthritis. Since then I have had to request any tests I wanted and explain exactly why, and when I had the last one. Probably they had time then to effectively screen people for different illnesses and were able to be pro active. Now they are fire fighting for people needing emergency appointments and urgent treatment. Many pharmacies are doing blood pressure and cholesterol testing and are soon going to be able to prescribe certain medications for minor illnesses. People are still being called for routine smear tests, breast and bowel screening but these end at a certain age and you have to request them if you still wish to be seen. Some friends in less densely populated areas have told me they are still being called for regular general health check ups.

[Cavalierrubie]

Like all have said you need to get in touch with the surgery. It’s a compulsory thing now so perhaps they need a reminder. You need to know why you are not on the rota.

[Puzzled8 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Thank you. Just wanted to check what was happening elsewhere before I contact them.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Puzzled8]

Very true. Hope you get attended to. Take care.

[1234_6]

Unfortunately I think it's called "welcome to the post-code lottery of the NHS" .

You don't say wot the blood tests were for, but my understanding is that heart health and kidney function especially are often inter-related so I suggest if your Meds recommend that an annual blood test is done, and your are not offered it that you actually ask for it to be carried out.

I'm in Surrey and am called annually for Blood Tests mainly to check kidney function due to my Blood Pressure Meds (only just started on the Heart Meds recently which I think needs same blood test & maybe others). Family in Sussex on almost the same BP meds never get called.