Key Points
- Thousands of Leeds residents aged over 40 are being urged to book a free NHS Health Check at their GP surgery.
- The check is available to people aged 40 to 74 who do not already have a pre-existing cardiovascular condition.
- It is commissioned and funded by Leeds City Council’s public health department and delivered by Leeds GP Confederation across GP practices in the city.
- The appointment usually lasts 20 to 30 minutes and includes measurements and tests such as height, weight, waist size, blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Last year, 19,718 NHS Health Checks were carried out across Leeds.
- Those checks identified 572 people at high risk of cardiovascular disease, 901 people with high blood pressure, 50 people with chronic kidney disease, 296 people with undiagnosed diabetes and 2,175 people at risk of developing diabetes.
- Health leaders say Leeds has capacity to do thousands more checks.
- A new awareness campaign is being run across the city using posters, bus stops, digital screens, flyers and social media.
- Victoria Eaton, Leeds City Council’s director of public health, said many people do not realise the check is free and available to them.
- Councillor Emma Flint said eligible people aged 40 and over should ask their GP surgery if they have not yet had an invitation.
Leeds (The Leeds Times) July 28, 2026 – Thousands of people in Leeds aged over 40 are being urged to take up a free NHS Health Check that health leaders say could help spot serious conditions early and reduce future health risks.As reported by Victoria Eaton, director of public health at Leeds City Council, the NHS Health Check is designed to assess the health of the heart and blood vessels, known as cardiovascular health, and to identify early warning signs for a range of conditions including heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, stroke and certain types of dementia. According to the council and the Leeds GP Confederation, the service is available to people aged 40 to 74 who do not already have a pre-existing cardiovascular condition and should be offered once every five years.
Why is Leeds urging over 40s to book a check?
The push comes as health leaders in the city look to increase uptake of a service they say remains underused despite strong demand.
The check is described as a supportive, friendly appointment lasting around 20 to 30 minutes, during which a patient may have their height, weight and waist size measured, along with blood pressure and cholesterol tests, and answer general health questions.
As reported by Leeds City Council and Leeds GP Confederation, the scheme is commissioned and funded by the council’s public health department and delivered in GP practices across the city.
The official Leeds City Council information also states that residents registered with a GP are automatically invited once every five years if they are eligible.
What did last year’s checks find?
The figures point to the scale of the health issues the checks can uncover. Last year, 19,718 NHS Health Checks were carried out across Leeds, leading to 572 people being identified as being at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
The same checks also found 901 people with high blood pressure, 50 with chronic kidney disease, 296 with undiagnosed diabetes and a further 2,175 people who were considered at risk of developing diabetes.
These results were highlighted by health leaders as evidence that the appointments can reveal conditions before symptoms become obvious.
How does the service work?
The NHS Health Check is a free service for people aged 40 to 74 who do not have certain pre-existing conditions.
Leeds City Council says eligible residents or patients registered to a GP in the council catchment area are entitled to the check and should expect an invitation through their GP.
Leeds GP Confederation, which delivers the service, says the check is a simple way to understand a person’s health and risk of future illness.
The council’s public information says the appointment can help people stay well, with follow-up advice given where needed.
What are health leaders saying?
Victoria Eaton said many people are unaware that the NHS Health Check is free and available to them, and hopes the campaign will encourage more eligible residents to use it.
She said the benefit of the appointment “cannot be underestimated” because it helps people understand their health, receive personalised advice and stay healthier for longer.
She also warned that some of the conditions the check looks for can develop without noticeable symptoms. High blood pressure and high cholesterol, she said, may not show warning signs, making the health check an important tool for protecting both individuals and their families.
Councillor Emma Flint, Leeds City Council’s executive member for equality, adults and health, said all eligible people aged 40 and over are entitled to the check and should contact their GP surgery if they have not received an invitation.
She said even people who feel healthy should still attend, because early identification can help reduce the risk of developing serious health problems later on.
What is the city doing to raise awareness?
A new campaign is under way across Leeds to remind people about the offer and explain why it matters. Posters and messages are being displayed at bus stops, on digital screens, in flyers and across social media.
The city’s public health team is hoping that better awareness will encourage more residents to come forward, especially since health leaders say there is still room to carry out thousands more checks each year.
Who is eligible for the check?
The check is available to people aged 40 to 74 who do not already have a pre-existing cardiovascular condition.
Leeds City Council says people registered with a GP in the catchment area are entitled to the service and should normally be invited automatically once every five years.
Residents who think they may be eligible but have not had an invitation are being encouraged to ask their GP surgery directly.
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Why does it matter?
The NHS Health Check is intended to spot problems early, when action may still prevent more serious illness. By identifying risks such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or kidney disease before they become advanced, the service can help people make changes sooner and seek treatment where needed.
For Leeds, the latest figures suggest the programme is already finding a significant number of people with hidden health issues. Health leaders
say expanding awareness could mean even more residents benefit from an appointment that takes less than half an hour but may have long-term health benefits.
