NHS to scrap standard health MOTs for over 40s
The NHS is to scrap routine health MOTs for over 40s, amid promises to introduce online checks and more “targeted” advice.
Ministers said the scrapping of a “one size fits all” system, introduced a decade ago, would use data and technology to pinpoint the right help to those in need of it.
But patients’ groups raised fears that potentially deadly problems could go unchecked, with concern about the reliability of “predictive” tools used to estimate risk.
And they expressed concern that the move was an attempt to offfer checks “on the cheap” by calling fewer people in to see GPs.
Currently, those between the age of 40 and 74 are invited to their surgery every five years, for checks on blood pressure, cholesterol and weight, and other tests depending on what is found.
Almost 7 million people have undergone the MOTs in the last five years, with one in 10 found to be at high risk of heart disease, and 500 lives saved annually
The checks aim to spot those at risk of stroke, heart disease, and conditions like type two diabetes and dementia.
Today ministers announced plans to axe the current scheme, saying a new system would be “smarter” and make more use of technology.
Under the changes, physical checks may be reserved for those thought to be most in need, with those deemed “low-risk” offered less frequent online health tests.
The Health Secretary said scientific advances - such as the use of DNA to identify genetic risks - would mean programmes could be tailored, with more targeted health messages for different types of patients.
An evidence review of the checks will begin this autumn, before changes are introduced.
Matt Hancock said: “Personalised, preventative healthcare is mission critical to the future-fit healthcare service we want to build. We must harness the latest technology and techniques to move away from the one-size-fits-all approach of the past.
“The review we are announcing today will be an important step towards achieving that, helping us to find data-led, evidenced based ways to support people to spot, manage and prevent risks to their health through targeted intervention.”
John Kell, head of policy at the Patients Association, said a more personalised approach to prevention of ill-health would be welcome. But he raised concerns that the move was an attempt to cut costs, amid “disgraceful” underfunding of public health.
“The temptation for the Government to find a way to provide these population-wide health checks on the cheap, by finding a rationale for calling fewer patients in, must be tremendous – we hope they will resist it, and come up with a genuinely effective, evidence-led approach that really meets people’s needs,” he said.
Joyce Robins, from Patient Concern, said she was “very worried” that deadly health risks would be missed.
“A lot of people hardly ever see a doctor, so how much information would the NHS even have about them? How would they really know who is most at risk without actually seeing a patient and checking their cholesterol and so forth?” she said.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, urged officials to make sure the checks were available for everyone, whether or not they are mobile phone or internet users.
“Significant numbers of older people are not online and an over-reliance by the NHS on digital technology would mean many missing out,” she said.
Officials said data-led systems could tailor help for different groups, with drinking advice targeted at 40 to 49-year-olds, as alcohol use is more common in this age group, while 70 to 74-year-olds could be targeted with advice on how to reduce their blood pressure.
The review will also explore offering specific checks for those approaching retirement age.
Dr Alison Evans, Head of Policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said, urged officials to make sure those in midlife continue to be given advice about how to cut their risk of dementia, warning that predictive tools are unable to spot those most at risk.
“Innovation has an important role in ensuring we offer the best health care possible on the NHS. While dementia research is making huge steps forward, we don’t yet have advanced tools to accurately predict which individuals will go on to develop dementia.
“The diseases that cause dementia, like Alzheimer’s disease, begin in midlife, decades before symptoms begin to show," she said.
NHS medical director Professor Stephen Powis said: “The time is right to take a look at whether NHS Health Checks could be targeted differently to prevent and tackle major killer conditions like heart disease, cancer and dementia.
“Taking a smarter, data-driven approach has potential both to give people the tools they need to improve and manage their own health, and to focus the time and expertise of NHS staff on those who need them most.”
