Essential Health Assessment

What tests are included in this assessment?Show all

General

Physical examination and consultation with a doctor Hide

What is it?

The doctor consultation lasts up to 25 minutes depending on the assessment. As well as a physical examination, the doctor will have your test results, most of which should be available on the day.
 

Medical history and lifestyle questionnaire Hide

What is it?

An in-depth questionnaire covering your medical history and any medical concerns you may have.

Test results Hide

Most test results should be available on the day for discussion with doctor.

Health trend analysis Hide

What is it?

A comparison for most repeat customers of key health indicators taken from previous health assessments.

Why do we do this?

So you can see how your health is changing over time.

Report and personal health action plan Hide

What is it?

The results of all tests available on the day, along with a personal health profile and action plan suggesting changes to maintain and improve your health in the future.

Heart and lungs

Blood pressure and pulse rate measurement Hide

What is it?

The heart pumps blood around the body through a network of blood vessels, carrying oxygen and nutrients to the body. This pumping action produces pressure within the arteries carrying blood away from the heart.

Why do we do this?

Blood pressure tends to rise with age and high blood pressure rarely causes any symptoms. This is why it is important for adults to check it regularly.

A higher than normal blood pressure means that the heart has to work harder to push blood along. Over the long term, hypertension (high blood pressure) is associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney failure.

A healthy blood pressure is 140/85 or lower. If you have diabetes then it is even more important that your blood pressure is lower than this.

What does the test involve?

A compression cuff is inflated around the arm and the reading is taken by the health adviser.

Resting ECG Hide

What is it?

An electrocardiogram measures the "electrical signature" of each heart beat while you are at rest.

What are Health implications?

An abnormal ECG can identify coronary artery disease, an enlarged heart and disturbances in the electrical control of the heart (arrhythmia).

What does the test involve?

You will be hooked up to a 12-lead ECG which "looks" at the heart from 12 different angles. This is recorded on a paper chart that is reviewed by a doctor.

Lung function test Hide

What is it?

A test measuring lung size and how well the lungs can move air in and out.

Why do we do this?

Measurements can indicate early signs of lung disease and certain conditions such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma.

What does it involve?

You are asked to blow through a tube attached to a machine called a spirometer.

Coronary risk score Hide

What is it?

This score indicates the chance of you having a heart attack within the next 10 years.

Why do we do this?

The development of heart disease depends on a number of risk factors and management and control of these risk factors can decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease.

What does it involve?

The test is calculated by the doctor and is based on a widely accepted algorithm based on your age, sex, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, presence of diabetes and whether you smoke or not.

Chest X-ray (only offered if clinically necessary) Hide

Why do we do this?

Any X-ray exposes you to a small amount of radiation. For this reason we only offer the chest X-ray if it is clinically necessary ie if you have symptoms of possible chest disease.

Body composition

Height and weight measurements Hide

Your height will be measured and you will be weighed.

Body mass index calculation Hide

What is it?

Your body mass index (BMI) is one way to find out if you are a healthy weight. It is calculated using an accepted medical formula which involves calculating a ratio of your height to weight and comparing this to an accepted health range.

Why do we do this?

Carrying too much fat is the most common cause of a high BMI. Being overweight is related to health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. People with a BMI over 25 are at a higher than average risk of these conditions.

What does it involve?

Measuring your height and weight.

Additional tests

Cholesterol profile Hide

What is it?

A number of different types of blood fat are measured including cholesterol (HDL and LDL) and triglycerides.

Cholesterol is essential in the body to make cells and hormones. Most blood cholesterol is made in the liver. But some cholesterol comes from foods such as eggs, milk and animal fats.

Triglycerides are a different type of fat. Calories that are consumed and not used immediately are converted to triglycerides and transported to fat cells in the body for storage.

Health implications

A high level of cholesterol increases your risk of cardiovascular disease. Blood cholesterol contributes to the fatty deposits that can narrow and damage coronary arteries, reducing the blood supply to the heart. This can result in angina (chest pain) or in more severe cases, a heart attack.

If your total cholesterol is high you may be advised to eat less saturated fats in your diet and increase the amount of exercise you do. Other treatment may include drug treatments.

A raised level of blood triglycerides together with high LDL can increase the risk of heart disease.

What does the test involve?

The health adviser takes a small amount of blood. The blood is used to carry out a wide range of tests. Results will usually be available on the day for discussion with the doctor.

You are asked to fast before your assessment. The level of triglycerides is very variable depending on the length of your fast. The test is more reliable if you have fasted for at least six hours before your assessment.

Diabetes Hide

What is it?

Diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to regulate the level of glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood. According to Diabetes UK, it is estimated that 1 million people in the UK have diabetes without their knowing. The test measures the level of blood glucose after fasting for at least six hours.

Diabetes is a significant risk factor for severe eye problems (including blindness), it greatly increases the risk of heart attack, kidney failure and severe arterial disease.

Why do we do this?

A raised glucose level may indicate diabetes. Diabetes can usually be controlled with diet, exercise or medicines, but if poorly controlled, it increases the risk of heart disease and strokes, nerve damage and blindness.

What does it involve?

The health adviser takes a small amount of blood. The blood is used to carry out a wide range of tests. Results should be available on the day for discussion with the doctor.

You are asked to fast before your assessment. The test is more reliable if you have fasted for at least six hours before your assessment.

Liver function Hide

What is it?

The liver makes important hormones and proteins. It also breaks down toxic substances, producing less harmful ones that can be removed from the body more easily.

Calcium levels Hide

Calcium is important in nerve and muscle function, as well as being an important part of bone structure.

Calcium is carried in the blood by albumin. Albumin is produced by the liver. Changes in the albumin level will also change the calcium level.

What does it involve?

The health adviser takes a small amount of blood. The blood is used to carry out a wide range of tests. Results should be available on the day for discussion with the doctor.

Kidney function Hide

What is it?

The kidneys remove some of the body’s waste products by filtering the blood. These waste products leave the body in the urine. Urea and creatinine are two waste products removed by the kidneys.

Why do we do this?

Higher than normal levels of creatinine and urea in your blood may indicate that the kidneys are not working properly.

What does it involve?

The health adviser takes a small amount of blood. The blood is used to carry out a wide range of tests. Results should be available on the day for discussion with the doctor.

Gout Hide

What is it?

Gout is a painful inflammation of the joints caused by the build up of a substance called uric acid. This test measures the level of uric acid in your body.

Why do we do this?

The level of uric acid in your blood may be raised if you have gout or a family history of gout. Taking one of a number of drugs (including alcohol) can also cause a rise in the uric acid level. Uric acid levels can also be raised in kidney disease.

What does it involve?

The health adviser takes a small amount of blood. The blood is used to carry out a wide range of tests. Results should be available on the day for discussion with the doctor.

Thyroid function Hide

What is it?

This test measures thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which helps control the thyroid gland. This is the gland that releases the hormone thyroxine, which controls metabolism.

The test is offered to all women over 50 and both men and women who take the Later Life Health Assessment.

Why do we do this?

TSH levels may be raised if your thyroid gland is underactive, which leads to a condition called hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism often appears without obvious symptoms, but can cause weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, depression and lack of energy. It is more common in women than men, especially women over the age of 50.

TSH levels may be low if your thyroid gland is overactive (hyperthyroidism). This can cause weight loss, palpitations, nervousness and flushed skin.

What does it involve?

The health adviser takes a small amount of blood. The blood is used to carry out a wide range of tests. Results should be available on the day for discussion with the doctor.

Haematological profile

Haemoglobin measurement Hide

What is it ?

Measurement of the amount of haemoglobin in the blood. Low haemoglobin levels may indicate anaemia.

Abnormalities of red cells, white cells and platelets Hide

Tested as part of a full blood count which measures the levels of the blood cells in the blood:

Red blood cells – these carry haemoglobin

White blood cells – these are produced by the body to protect us against infections and repair damage. There are different types of white cells with different functions

Platelets – these are involved in blood clotting

Why do we do this?

Red blood cells test

Changes in the size and number of these may indicate a number of diseases, including the cause for anaemia.

White blood cells

A raised level in the blood may mean you have an infection, or indicate chronic (long-term) conditions.

Platelets

Platelets have a wide normal range. A very low result can be a sign of a number of medical conditions, including blood clotting disorders.

What does the test involve?

The health adviser takes a small amount of blood. The blood is used to carry out a wide range of tests. Results should be available on the day for discussion with the doctor.

Urinalysis

Three tests to help detect diabetes mellitus and kidney problems Hide

What is it?

Your urine is tested for blood, glucose and protein, which should not normally be present.

Why do we do this?

Either blood or protein in the urine can be a sign of an infection. The presence of glucose (sugar) in the urine may be the first sign of diabetes. If you have glucose in your urine, your blood test may show a high fasting blood glucose level. Significant amounts of protein in the urine can be a sign of kidney disease.

What does it involve?

You will be asked to provide a urine sample at the beginning of your assessment. The urine will be analysed and results should be available on the day for discussion with the doctor.

Female tests

Breast check Hide

What is it?

A breast check is a physical and visual examination of the breasts.

Why do we do this?

According to Cancer Research UK, breast cancer accounts for nearly 30 percent of all cancers. Deviations from normal do not necessarily indicate breast disease. All abnormalities must be followed up either with a repeat check or with a referral to a specialist breast clinic.

Breast awareness instruction Hide

What is it?

Instruction on self-examination and general awareness of breast appearance and texture.

Why do we do this?

Regular examination can ensure early detection of abnormal changes in breast tissue.

Male tests

Testicular examination Hide

What is it?

An examination of the testicles.

Why do we do this?

Detection of any lumps or masses will allow further investigation to identify their nature and any course of treatment.

Quality assurance

Stringent standards to ensure high quality Hide

Clinical governance

Clinical governance is defined as "a framework of responsibility and accountability, that continuously measures, monitors and improves the safety and quality of all clinical services, (whether directly provided or funded) and differentiates the quality of clinical services Bupa provides and funds promoting optimal patient/customer health outcomes and clinical excellence."

It requires that as an organisation we have:

• quality improvement activity eg audit
• a process for monitoring
• internal and external reviews
• clear policies to manage risk
• clinical incidents reporting
• a clear complaints handling policy
• management and reporting of poor performance

We are registered with the Care Quality Commission

This organisation requires that all our procedures and policies place the client as the most important stakeholder, and that we ensure client safety at all times through clear policies and procedures. We adopt these principles even in those centres which are not required to be registered with the Care Quality Commission.

Bupa Centres are registered as required, regulated and inspected by the Care Quality Commission. Copies of the latest inspection reports are available from:

Care Quality Commission National Correspondence
Citygate
Gallowgate
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4PA

Telephone: 03000 616161
Website: http://www.cqc.org.uk/
Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk

Our doctors and health advisers

We choose our doctors carefully; normally they will have been qualified for at least five years and have a broad background of medical experience. Most will have a higher degree – MRCGP, MRCP or equivalent. All will have undergone a training programme to familiarise them with the concept of health assessment and Bupa Centre protocols. All are subject to an initial three-month appraisal and then annual appraisals thereafter.

Our health advisers are either qualified nurses, exercise physiologists or hold other relevant healthcare qualifications, all of whom have undergone a training programme in performing health assessments. This includes training on the impact of nutrition and diet, alcohol consumption, exercise programming and the benefits of exercise, and the effects of smoking on health.

All clinical staff are subject to an enhanced CRB clearance before they commence employment.

We have a robust complaints policy

We are always pleased to hear about aspects of our service that you have particularly appreciated. We also want to hear about any problems you have experienced, so that we can deal with them speedily and improve our service for the future.

If something goes wrong, here's a simple procedure to ensure that your concerns are dealt with quickly and effectively. If you have a complaint about any aspect of our service, we would like to address this straightaway. If possible therefore, please speak to a member of staff at the centre. All centres have a complaints handler who has had specific training. Or you may prefer to talk to the centre manager.

If we cannot satisfactorily resolve your concern there and then and you wish to make a complaint by telephone or in writing, please call or write to the centre manager.

We will aim to give you a written acknowledgement of your complaint within 24 hours of receipt, unless a full reply can be made within five working days. A full response will be made within 20 working days. All complaints are dealt with confidentially and impartially.

If required, your complaint will be referred to the regional manager and may be escalated to the managing director.

We keep a record of every complaint and look at how many we receive and the reasons. We use this information along with our customer surveys to help make sure we continually improve the service we provide.

This procedure does not affect your legal rights.

Why do we do this?

We are committed to quality in all clinical areas.

1. Source: BMJ 1998; 317 : 61 (Published 4 July 1998)

ISO accreditation Hide

We operate under the guidelines of the ISO9001 quality management system and have been accredited since 2001. Part of our accreditation includes being externally assessed twice a year to ensure we continue to maintain our high quality standards. Through this, all of our services and products are accredited and our customers can be assured that the systems behind the scenes are in place so that you receive the highest quality of service.

As part of this, we operate stringent clinical standards polices with internal audits of procedures. All non-clinical staff also undergo regular appraisal through the Bupa Positive Performance Management process.

We have received the following comments from our external auditors, SGS, during previous audits:

"Staff involved in the audit were able to demonstrate excellent knowledge of, and compliance with procedures, there is obvious ownership of the management system at all levels."

"It is evident that a great deal of thought and commitment has been given to developing the system to meet the requirements of ISO 9001:2000 and incorporate business and clinical needs."

"Excellent systems in place to monitor customer satisfaction."

"Very well managed centre with adherence to system requirements evident."

"All staff involved in the audit process demonstrated excellent knowledge and ownership of the key processes and the documented Quality Management System."

"Staff are proactive in problem solving and demonstrated contingency plans in place to enable patients to receive blood resulted on the day of assessment when the laboratory equipment is not functioning."

"Excellent controls in evidence in all areas. Communication is particularly good."

Central booking facility Hide

Our call centre staff have access to appointments at all of our centres throughout the country. They will be therefore able to help identify suitable appointments at a number of centres.