title: Variations in the organization and delivery of the 'NHS health check' in primary care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To evaluate the organization of the new cardiovascular risk assessment programme, NHS Health Checks, in general practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  All 99 general practices in two inner London boroughs were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey by completing an online questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data were analysed for 66/99 (67%) eligible practices. Training attended for delivering the Health Check included measurement methods (43%), delivering risk information (65%) and advising on lifestyle change (62%). The Framingham risk score was used by 66% of practices, the QRisk score by 12% and both by 8%. Advice given to patients identified as high risk was 'usually' brief at 26% of practices, advice was given verbally at 92% of practices, in written form at 74% and through interactive visual materials at 29%. Statins were 'usually' prescribed to high-risk patients by 34% of practices and antihypertensive drugs by 22%. The follow-up of high-risk patients was by means of a register with regular recall at 51% of general practices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is considerable diversity in general practices' implementation of the NHS Health Check. A formal quality assurance process may be required in order to optimize the implementation of the NHS cardiovascular risk assessment programme.
authors: Department of Primary Care and Public Health Sciences,  King's College London, Capital House, 42 Weston St, London SE1 3QD,  UK.
authors: Jennifer M
authors: JM
authors: Nicholas
authors: Caroline
authors: C
authors: Burgess
authors: Hiten
authors: H
authors: Dodhia
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Miller
authors: Frances
authors: F
authors: Fuller
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Cajeat
authors: Martin C
authors: MC
authors: Gulliford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D058006:General Practice / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom