Upcoming Training Dates
OneSmallStep will deliver NHS Health Checks Training . Training dates for 2018-19 are:
19th April 2018- Dining Room, Old Forde House, Teignbridge District Council, Newton Abbot, TQ12 4XX 9:30am-1:30pm
22nd May 2018– Boardroom, Crown Yealm House, Pathfields Business Park, South Molton, EX36 3LH
To register your interest in the training please email: kristina.hargreaves@onesmallstep.org.uk
The training has been developed to provide a consistent approach to the NHS Health Check programme.
Full Training session (4hrs)
The training covers the rationale and process for NHS Health Checks and skills for delivering brief lifestyle interventions to support behaviour change, and is relevant to any practitioners who have no previous experience of delivering NHS Healthchecks.
GP Practices must ensure that their staff are assessed as competent to deliver the NHS Healthcheck the competency framework is available from here.
http://www.healthcheck.nhs.uk/commissioners_and_providers/training/
Refresher Training session 2 hour face to face offer
This is for practitioners who have previously been involved in delivering NHS Healthchecks but whom feel they need a refresher. The content of the training is highlighted below (but may change based on delegate requests).
- Latest evidence base for the programme.
- Update on latest guidance for behaviour change and introducing the brief intervention
- Communicating the results- top tips and scenario’s
- Resources, how and when to refer on
- Maintaining competency and overview of national resources
Refresher Training Dates
To register your interest please email
Richard.Merrifield@devon.gov.uk
Training dates for 2018-19 will be confirmed once there is sufficient demand.
National E-learning package
Practitioners will find the e-learning package available on the NHS Healthchecks website covers a comprehensive overview of the programme and we recommend that this is completed prior to or soon after attending the refresher training.
There are 11 short video’s that range in duration from 1-5mins. Practitioners can select aspects of the e-learning package that they feel they need upskilling on. To access the programme click below.
http://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/nhs-health-check/open-access-sessions/
Training Resources and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Refresher Training slides NHS Healthchecks refresher presentation FINAL
FAQ’s
- What tool should be used to assess Physical Activity?
The GPPAQ is the only validated physical activity assessment tool that assesses for risk of Cardiovascular disease and must be included as part of the Healthcheck and is available from the link below.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/general-practice-physical-activity-questionnaire-gppaq
- Is waist circumference included as part of the Healthcheck?
Whilst a waist circumference is not required in order to obtain a q-risk score it should be taken as part of the Healthcheck as it can inform the diabetes filter score. Waist circumference measures are requested as part of the service specification and are included in the read codes requested by Devon County Council.
- What results does the Cardiochek machine produce?
The Cardiochek machine will produce the following results:
- Total cholesterol
- HDL
- Ratio of Total Cholesterol/HDL
| Cholesterol results you hope to see | |
| Total Cholesterol | Less than 5mmol/L |
| HDL | More than 1mmol/L in men and 1.2mmol/L in women |
| Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio | Less than 4.5mmol/L |
What to do if the Cardiochek machine gives you the following readings:
| Possible reason | Action | |
| Blank scores | Not enough blood on sample | Repeat test on different finger and promote blood flow with patient consent |
| Total Cholesterol | Greater than 6mmol/L | Brief intervention and signpost to OneSmallStep |
| Total Cholesterol | Greater than 7.5mmol/L | Refer to GP for further investigation and follow guidance in the service specification |
- In the results leaflet there is a box asking for score, what does this mean?
You must give each person a copy of their results and we suggest it is done using the results leaflets that are available from Public Health Devon. You only need to record scores for Alcohol audit-C, Pulse, blood pressure, BMI, cholesterol and overall risk of heart attack or stroke in next 10 years. There is no score to record in smoking, Physical activity or diet. We will remove the scoring boxes in future print runs to avoid any confusion.
- When should we refer to OneSmallStep?
Following a discussion with the patient regarding their results if they wish to access support to make a lifestyle behaviour change you should give them the OneSmallStep card.
www.onesmallstep.org.uk
E: hello@onesmallstep.org.uk
Tel (Freephone) 0800 298 2654
Tel (Local Rate) 01392 908139
A discussion about an individual’s lifestyle and an assessment of their motivation to change is an essential part of the Healthcheck.
- Do we need to purchase a Point of Care Testing kit to measure cholesterol and what is the process?
A non-fasting cholesterol test is required as part of the NHS Healthcheck. Some practices chose to adopt this approach and others chose to include a full fasting blood sample.
If your practice choses to provide a non-fasting blood test then Public Health Devon will order and pay for a Cardiochek machine for your practice. Practices that have previously been supplied with a Cardiochek machine are encouraged to use the machine previously supplied by Public Health Devon. The machines will remain the property of Devon County Council.
It is the practices responsibility to order and pay for the consumables and maintenance costs of the Cardiochek machine. An order form is available here.
A medical representative is available to provide on-site visits and support to practices using the Cardiochek machines. His contact details are:
Gareth Hopkins
E: Gareth@bhr.co.uk Tel: 07720 736293
7. Can historical cholesterol results be used as part of a NHS Healthchecks?
We would recommend that all the results required for the NHS Healthcheck are taken on the same day (unless using a venous blood test for the cholesterol test).
In the event that a good cholesterol result has been obtained within the last 3 months, clinical judgement should inform whether this reading is suitable to be included as part of the NHS Healthcheck.
Height, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure readings must be taken on the day of the NHS Healthcheck.
8. What are the lower and upper limits that the Cardiochek machine?
The range for total cholesterol is 2.59-10.36mmol. The range for HDL is 0.39-2.59mmol. In the event the HDL reading sits outside of this range the display will read <0.39 or >2.59.
It’s important that the area being tested in cleaned properly with an alcohol wipe to remove anything that may interfere with the results i.e. moisturisers.
9. How should we communicate the results to someone who has undergone gender reassignment?
Provide the q-risk score for both male and female genders and ask the individual which of the results they would like to base the remainder of the discussion on.
10. Can HDL be too high?
In most cases a High HDL is seen as protective against heart disease and is commonly referred to as ‘good cholesterol’. In searching reliable health related websites there is no mention of an upper limit being harmful.
There is 1 study Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology that suggests high levels of HDL can be associated with having had a heart attack, thyroid disorders, inflammatory diseases and alcohol consumption. No figure has been placed on what levels define High HDL. We would encourage you to discuss this with GP’s who can confirm the clinical rationale for any further investigations that they may wish to conduct.
We advise that in communicating the results to the patients you continue to say a good HDL score is 1mmol/L or more and for men a score of 1.2mmol/L is good for women.
11. Our website suggests a good Total Cholesterol/HDL ratio is 4.5mmol/L, what’s the source of that statistic?
At risk groups are encouraged to achieve a TC/HDL ratio of less than 4mmol/L (Diabetes UK, British Heart Foundation, NHS choices), the seemingly healthy population should aim to achieve a TC/HDL ratio of 4.5mmol/L (Heart UK, and adopted as a guide by BHR Pharmaceuticals). We ask that practitioners communicate the results to the public in a language they will understand and to consider the other lifestyle risk factors obtained in the NHS Healthcheck as part of the discussion and communication of the results. Public Health Devon is happy for you to use either 4mmol/l or 4.5mmol/l as what’s generally recommended.
12. How does the NHS Healthcheck fit with the annual check given to those with Learning disabilities?
Information about the Annual Learning Disability Healthcheck can be found:
https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Childrenwithalearningdisability/Pages/AnnualHealthChecks.aspx
Information about the NHS Healthcheck can be found:
http://www.healthcheck.nhs.uk/
The 2 checks are separate and one should not replace the other
13. Read code confusion
We are aware that there is a CCG programme of change which means data systems are migrating to a new language known as SNOMED. However, until further notice we ask all primary care providers to record the read codes listed within the Service Specification. If Practices have any problems with recording the data requested please notify Public Health Devon immediately of the Read codes you have problems with and the data systems you are working with so that we can work with you and our CCG colleagues to identify solutions. Incomplete datasets may result in payments being delayed or withheld.
Free Online Training
Further FREE e-training courses and tools for professionals delivering health checks are also available online. http://www.healthcheck.nhs.uk/commissioners_and_providers/training/elearning_resources1/
These include:
The Dementia Training Tool addresses the dementia aspect of the health check, including self-assessment section and completion certificate.
The Alcohol Identification and Brief Advice e-learning course provides professionals with support to deliver simple alcohol identification and brief advice.
Additional Resources
The Alcohol Identification and Brief Advice (IBA) Factsheet, developed in partnership between Devon and Torbay Public Health Teams, is designed to support professionals delivering IBA in primary care. The factsheet works to compliment both the NHS Health Checks programme and ‘Every Contact Counts’. It includes the following:
- Epidemiology and evidence
- Risk assessment and lifestyle advice
- Useful tips and conversations
- IBA training and resources
- Alcohol treatment and support services
Please access the factsheets at the following links: