Recommended Health Checks

Screening is the term used for examining or testing well people in an attempt to identify disease early. The area of health screening is somewhat controversial. The following recommendations act as a general guide.

The most effective form of screening is targeted at specific individual risks, for example:
- Is there a family history?
- Do you smoke?
- Are you overweight?

The most effective health screening therefore involves a full medical history and examination. Your doctor will then be able to make specific recommendations on future screening.

We recommend that everyone should have the following tests on one occasion:
- Blood group
- Homocysteine (a risk factor for heart disease)
- Ferritin

Women
We recommend yearly well woman examinations for all women who are or have ever been sexually active and have the following tests or services available:
- Pap Smears
- Family Planning Advice
- Breast Examination
- Blood Pressure
- Medical Examination
- Female Doctors

Our 'Tests and Procedures' page has more information on these checks.


Child Health Check
For children, the main goal of a health check is to ensure the early recognition and treatment of conditions which may compromise growth and learning in addition to providing immunisation against the common infectious diseases of childhood. We recommend that infants should have an examination and growth and development check with their routine vaccinations. Thereafter, we recommend yearly check-ups to the age of five and check-ups every two years after that. We have developed a standard medical check for all children from the age of 2 to 5 years.

Please ask your GP or nurse for further details of this medical examination.

Please go to our 'Parents & Children' page to find a full copy of a typical report.


General Guide to Medical Tests for Adults: