Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of early death across Tameside, with the under-75 mortality rate recorded at 107.8 per 100,000 people, compared to 76.0 per 100,000 nationally, according to the Tameside Public Health Annual Report 2024.
In response to the higher local risk profile, The Brooke Surgery is launching a targeted community campaign between 2nd and 8th March, delivering NHS Health Checks from a dedicated pop-up health bus positioned outside the surgery on both weekdays and the weekend to support local patients.
The initiative is designed particularly to reach residents who may struggle to attend appointments during traditional surgery hours, including those working shift patterns or non-standard schedules, as well as those in need of health checks and eligible for the pop up campaign.
Local data also shows that 69.2 percent of adults in Tameside are overweight or obese and 20.2 percent smoke, both key contributors to cardiovascular disease. Across Greater Manchester, around 7.4 percent of adults are living with diabetes, and projections suggest up to one in four people could develop type 2 diabetes during their lifetime, according to the Cities for Better Health Manchester profile.
NHS Health Checks are available to adults aged 40 to 74 who have not already been diagnosed with heart disease, stroke, kidney disease or diabetes. Eligible patients are being identified through practice records and contacted directly, while residents who believe they may qualify are encouraged to get in touch to see if they qualify.
The free appointment includes blood pressure and cholesterol checks, a review of weight and lifestyle factors and personalised advice to help reduce future risk.
Dr Nabeel Arshad, GP at The Brooke Surgery, said: “Conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes often develop without obvious symptoms. Prevention is about identifying risk early and supporting people before more serious problems develop.
“We know that many residents locally work shifts or busy schedules, which can make attending routine appointments difficult. By delivering these checks from a visible pop-up health bus outside the surgery, we are making access simpler and more immediate for those who may otherwise delay seeking preventative support.”
Eligible patients have already been contacted via invite for the health check and will be invited to testing accordingly. For any patients who have questions or would like more information on the testing process, The Brooke Surgery can be contacted on WhatsApp via 0161 368 3312.
For more information visit: https://brookesurgery.co.uk/
