Annual Physical Health Reviews

Our physical health checks help identify early signs that you may be at risk of conditions such as diabetes, stroke, or heart disease. Taking action early can help prevent these issues from becoming more serious.

A full physical health check is carried out once a year and involves six key elements:

• Blood pressure: Your blood pressure will be measured.
• Height and weight: Your height will be recorded and your weight measured to calculate your body mass index (BMI).
• Blood glucose: A blood test will be taken to check the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood.
• Blood lipids: A blood test will be taken to check your cholesterol levels.
• Smoking: You will be asked whether you smoke.
• Alcohol: You will be asked whether you drink alcohol and, if so, how much.

As part of your physical health review, we will also discuss your diet, level of physical activity, substance use, and any health screening you may be entitled to.

High Dose Antipsychotic Therapy (HDAT) Monitoring

High Dose Antipsychotic Therapy may be used to help treat mental health symptoms when other treatment options have not been effective.

However, this treatment can carry a higher risk of physical health complications and therefore requires regular monitoring every three months, including:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Body mass index (BMI)
• Blood biochemistry (blood tests)

Electrocardiograms (ECG)

An ECG is a safe, quick, and painless test that records the electrical activity of your heart.

Small sticky pads, called electrodes, are placed on your skin to detect the electrical signals produced as your heart beats. These signals are recorded by an ECG machine and displayed as a graph.

Doctors use this information to assess your heart’s rhythm and function and to help monitor or identify potential heart problems.

Phlebotomy (blood tests)

A blood test involves a healthcare professional taking a small sample of blood, usually from a vein in your arm. The sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis to help detect or monitor health conditions.

You may feel a brief scratch as the needle is inserted. The procedure is quick, and a small dressing will be applied afterward. Mild bruising can sometimes occur.

Preparing for a blood test

The healthcare professional arranging your blood test will let you know if there are any specific instructions to follow beforehand.

Depending on the test, you may be asked to:

• Avoid eating or drinking anything except water for up to 12 hours (fasting)
• Temporarily stop taking certain medications

It is important to follow these instructions, as not doing so may affect the results and could mean the test needs to be repeated.

Please ensure you are well hydrated before your appointment.