COUNTY chiefs are set to get more adult residents attending health checks, as part of a new £9 million partnership with county GPs.

Starting next year, Hampshire County Council will partner with Swan Medical Group in Petersfield, to test ways of increasing the number of people taking the potentially life saving checks.

Information learnt will then be shared with other health providers to help increase the numbers attending across the county, particularly from high risk groups – such as those with cardiovascular problems.

Councillor Patricia Stallard, member for Public Health, said: “The county council is responsible for ensuring Hampshire residents aged 40-75 are invited for regular health reviews by their GP surgeries. Currently just under half of those invited take up the offer of a check.

“This is something we want to see improve, so through a new contract with GPs and other health providers, we are aiming to increase this, particularly among patients considered most at risk of cardiovascular disease.”

The NHS Health Check programme aims to prevent heart disease, stroke, type-two diabetes and kidney disease, and raise awareness of dementia both across the population and within high risk and vulnerable groups.

Health checks are normally undertaken by practice nursing teams. Once the health assessment is complete, those receiving a check are given advice to help them manage and reduce their risk of becoming unwell.