Are you up to date with your screening? NHS Screening

Part of our annual medical check at Ward Private Health ensures patients are aware of screening that the NHS provides.

The NHS has a very good national screening program, which is why we recommend all our patients who are eligible, are registered with an NHS GP, even if they only use a private services to ensure they are offered tests and other services such as national vaccination programs when appropriate.

An example when this was critical was during the role out or the Covid Vaccine which for many years was not available privately and for teenagers during the recent Meningitis B outbreak.

Which screening programs are offered nationally are decided by the National Screening committee (UKNSC) which is an expert group who ensure the testing is appropriate and ensure the benefits outweigh any possible harms. Sometimes, as recently in the press regarding Prostate Screening, medical opinions can be passionately different.

As an aid memoir we have summarised the current screening offered routinely in the U.K. below. Some geographical areas may differ. It is worth checking you have been offered these and consulting the NHS website for more information.

I will be writing another post in due course covering additional testing we can offer to this program at Ward Private Health which may be appropriate to consider for certain age groups, those with particular risk factors or a strong family history of certain medical conditions.

Current NHS Screening Program Summary

Birth

Newborn blood spot ("heel prick”)

Screen for several rare but serious inherited conditions that benefit from early treatment. 

Newborn Hearing screening

To detect permanent hearing loss early to support speech and language development. 

Newborn Physical examination

Check for heart problems, hip dysplasia, eye abnormalities, and undescended testes in boys.

6–8 Weeks infant physical examination ‘Baby Check’

Repeat examination to identify problems that may not have been present at birth.

Age 25–64 (Women with a cervix)

Cervical screening every 5 years (if HPV negative)

To detect high-risk HPV and identify cell changes before cervical cancer develops.

Age 50–70 (Women)

Breast screening (mammogram) every 3 years

Detect breast cancer at an early stage before symptoms appear.

Women over 70 can self refer.

Age 55-74

Lung Cancer Screening

If you have ever smoked you may be invited (depending on region) for lung health checks.

Age 50–74

Bowel cancer screening (FIT stool test every 2 years)

Detects hidden blood in the stool, which may indicate bowel cancer or large polyps.

If you are over 75 you can request a test every two years.

Age 65 (Men)

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) ultrasound

Detects enlargement of the main artery (aorta) before it becomes at risk of rupture.

Men over 65 can self refer.

Pregnancy

8–14 weeks Blood tests and ultrasound scans.

Detect conditions affecting mother and baby, including Hepatitis B, HIV, Syphilis, Genetic Tests for Down’s syndrome, Patau’s Syndrome and Edwards’ syndrome. Screening for Sickle Cell and Thalassemia.

20 Week Screening Scan

Monitoring physical development of the baby.

Diabetic Patients

Age 12+ with diabetes

Annual diabetic eye screening

Detect diabetic retinopathy before vision is affected and prevent avoidable sight loss.