Health checks could start at 30 in 'national first'

People living in a seaside town could be offered health checks from the age of 30 in a national first for the NHS, a senior doctor said.

The free screening is usually offered to those aged 40 to 74, but that could be lowered in Clacton-on-Sea to tackle health inequalities.

Dr Ed Garrett revealed the plan at a Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) meeting on Tuesday and said it was "progressing" forward.

But an NHS spokesman said the idea was in its "very early stages".

The health check aimed to detect if people were at higher risk of getting certain illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes and strokes.

It involved screenings, including cholesterol and blood pressure tests.

Dr Garrett said it would be a "national first" if the proposal went ahead.

"Given life expectancy [in Clacton], we feel it's important that health checks are delivered earlier," he said.

The seaside town has been the focus of concerted efforts by the NHS to stop deprivation leading to health inequalities.

Chief Medical Officer Sir Chris Whitty visited in 2021, having authored the Coastal Communities report.

In it, he said these towns suffered from high rates of serious illnesses and lower life expectancy among residents.

Ian Davidson, chief of Tendring District Council, also said people living in some parts of Clacton had a life expectancy 18 years lower than in wealthier parts of Essex.

When approached by the BBC to provide more details on its health checks plan, an ICB spokesman said it was still in its infancy.

He added: "We'll share more details as soon as we are able."

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