Kent employers can now arrange for free health checks for staff in the workplace after Kent County Council successfully applied for a government grant.

The checks are a free, convenient and effective way to help a business’ workforce to stay well. The grant effectively makes it easier for people to have a health MOT.

Depending on their eligibility, staff aged 25 to 84 will be offered either:

- a cardiovascular (CVD) health check
- an NHS health check

What staff can expect

Staff who have a CVD check will:

- have a blood pressure check
- have their height, weight, and waist measured
- discuss lifestyle routines, such as exercise, alcohol and smoking, with a health professional. With their consent they will be signposted or referred to any relevant services to help reduce future health risks

Staff eligible for the NHS health check undergo all the above plus a cholesterol test.

Checks can take between 20 to 30 minutes and all results are confidential and given directly to the employee.

Why offer health checks?

The checks enable any health risks to be identified, and treatment or professional support recommended early on.

Individuals receiving CVD health checks will still be eligible to have their 5-yearly NHS health check but anyone having a full health check at work would not need to have another for 5 years.

How to arrange for your staff to have checks

For more information visit kent.gov.uk/workplacehealthchecks or contact the provider, Randox, to organise a date on either kent.healthcheck@randox.com or 0800 2545 452.

Once dates have been agreed, Randox will provide a link for employees to book their appointments.

On the day, the checks must be carried out in a private space or room at your workplace that has a table and chairs. The provider will bring all the equipment that is needed.

Let Randox know if you have recently had any NHS health checks carried out by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust at your workplace in the last year to reduce any duplication.