Free health checks in Wellingborough

The aim is to help people who are unable, or in many cases unaware of the need, to visit their GPs and to catch potentially life-threatening conditions early on. According to a recent government health profile for Wellingborough, the area is worse than the national average for smoking, smoking in pregnancy, and obesity, and the health check event is a step towards helping prevent the conditions that are associated with these issues.

Checks available include height, weight and body mass index (BMI) checks, blood pressure, and testing for diabetes. Advice will also be available on healthy lifestyle programmes, stopping smoking, and early cancer awareness, as well as alcohol and sensible drinking. Representatives from Northamptonshire Sport and Waendel and Redwell leisure centres will also be on hand to offer help and information.

Cllr Barry Graves, deputy leader of Wellingborough Council and health and wellbeing spokesman said: "We know that we have issues with obesity, alcohol harm and smoking in Wellingborough and we want to work with people to help them. This event is all about support, advice and motivation - we're not here to preach or force people to do things they don't want to do. Obesity has a number of problems associated with it, from high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, depression, stroke and premature death, and sometimes people simply don't realise how small changes can make such a big difference.

"Early detection of problems is vital, not only for long-term health but also because prevention is always much more satisfactory and effective than treatment. The health checks at this event are free of charge, sensitively handled and open to anyone, whether they're concerned about a particular issue or simply curious."

The health check event will be in the Swansgate shopping centre on
Thursday 9  February from 9.30am-4.30pm.