What is a physical health check?
A physical health check is for someone with a severe mental illness.
This could be things like schizophrenia, bipolar or psychosis.
A physical health check is usually done by your doctor or a nurse once a year. The check is done to help you stay healthy.
You can get a physical health check if you are aged 18 or over.
Why is it good to have a physical health check?
You can talk to a health professional about anything you might be worried about.
If there is anything wrong then the doctor or nurse can sort it out before it gets worse.
What happens at a physical health check?
The doctor or nurse may do these things:
- measure your blood pressure
- measure your weight and height
- ask questions about your lifestyle, like whether you smoke or drink alcohol and how much
- do a blood glucose test
- do a blood lipid test, which includes your cholesterol
- ask you about any medicines you are taking
- speak to you about ideas for staying healthy
What happens after a physical health check?
You will talk about the results and agree next steps. These might be:
- talk about personal physical health goals
- get help and support to be more healthy
- make an appointment for another check in 12 months time
Top tips for your physical health check
- Ask the doctor or nurse to explain anything you do not understand.
- Agree with the doctor or nurse what the next steps are.
- Think of a physical health check as an MOT and expect to have one each year.
See downloadable copy of the physical health check (opens in new window).
Page last reviewed: April 30, 2024
Next review due: April 30, 2025