Surrey worst in the country for health checks

Surrey worst in the country for health checks

The Lib Dems have warned of a 'postcode lottery' as official figures reveal that only 30% of people in Surrey have been offered a health check over the last 5 years, significantly below the national average of 85.21% - the lowest in the country.

Lib Dem Health Spokesperson Judith Jolly blamed "swingeing Conservative cuts" and her party has called for "a transforming investment in public health with a penny on income tax."

Health check-ups for adults in England are available to everyone aged 40-74. According to the NHS, these checks are designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia.

However, figures published by Public Health England have revealed 22 local authority areas in England, including Surrey, have failed to offer more than 60% of people a health check.

Judith Jolly, Lib Dem Health Spokesperson, said:

"Health checks, designed to spot early signs of illnesses, can be the difference between life and death. It is an utter disgrace so few people have been offered one. Be in no doubt, swingeing Tory cuts are to blame."

"The NHS Long Term Plan strongly focused on prevention as a way to secure the future of the NHS, but it will not succeed if the Conservative Government persists in cutting funding to public health. It is about time ministers in Whitehall started helping NHS organisations and local authorities to work together."

Will Forster, Lib Dem County Councillor for Woking South, added:

"The disparity in health checks across the country is grossly unfair. People in Surrey deserve better than this postcode lottery where only one in three people are offered a health check."

"The Lib Dems and I are committed to transformational investment in public health with a penny on income tax. Our plan would put much needed money towards community health and GP services to ensure people are offered appointments and the care they need."