Is there such a thing as a "wellness visit" in England

I'm kinda embarrassed to ask this since I hardly ever saw the dr. when I lived in England, but all this talk of Obama care and preventative visits got me wondering if there is such a thing as wellness visits in the UK? Can you just make an appointment to get the all clear or do you have to be sick?

Not at my doctor's, although perhaps at some? 

They only check what you go in for, so I had a sinus infection and they don't take your blood pressure or temperature (which I think is short sighted, but we won't get into that here.)

My first visit was kind of a wellness visit with the nurse. She took my weight, blood pressure, temperature. She didn't listen to my heart or lungs. She did discuss any concerns I had...and made not of them.
Last week, I got an "invitation" to attend a cervical screening LOL. I thought the wording was funny. I said to hubby when he got home, I got an invitation today. When he asked me where to and I told him, he just told me I was a nutcase.
It definitely takes some time to get used to the hole medical system here.I definitely don't think they take preventative medicine to the same level as the States, but well, I'm just glad I don;t have to worry about insurance any more!

Some places do that on your first visit, some don't.  I've never been weighed or had my bp taken (except for the clinic where I was getting my birth control).

Mine has one, you have to specifically request it and its with the practice nurse, rather than the GP.
But I don't live in England   

Mine will do one, if you request it, but I think the idea is that you will check to make sure there are no new issues--for example, they will check everything out if you are planning to get pregnant.

Every time you see a GP or a nurse at my clinic you have to weigh yourself and stick your arm in the blood pressure machine (problem for me as irregular heartbeat = not able to machine read my bp) whilst you're waiting, it prints off a ticket and the nurse or doctor enters it onto their system so you have a track of it all. They also had this system at my GP in Brighton, but nowhere else.

I asked for this when I just wasn't feeling "right" and was made to feel like a hypochondriac time waster.

I asked for this when I just wasn't feeling "right" and was made to feel like a hypochondriac time waster.

Sorry mirrajay.


I scheduled an appointment to get a birth control prescription about a month ago and they took my weight, height, blood pressure and family medical history then. She also told me I could be tested for Chlamydia if I wanted to be. That consisted of her giving me a test kit, taking it home, peeing in a cup and bringing the cup back to the receptionist. Other than that, I haven't been checked out.

I asked for this when I just wasn't feeling "right" and was made to feel like a hypochondriac time waster.

yeah, the NHS does not do preventative care very well! :/ Sorry you had to go through that! You can normally get a Bupa wellness check for about £150 if you have the money to spare, when I worked for the Mouse you could choose one as part of your benefits package.

Thanks cheesebiscuit.  I have often thought about getting Bupa coverage, but didnt know you could pay just for one appointment.  Good to know!

Thanks cheesebiscuit.  I have often thought about getting Bupa coverage, but didnt know you could pay just for one appointment.  Good to know!

Yah, they're here They range from about £150 to £500, I think the one I got from the Mouse was subsidized.

http://www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/health-assessments/compare-health-assessments

I have long suspected that a lot of the "preventative" screening done in the US is the result of the fact that insurance (if you are lucky enough to have it) will pay for it. When discussing the frequency for mammograms in the UK (every 3 years) vs. the once yearly that my insurance pays for, my doctor here admitted that probably every 2 years was acceptable for mammograms and pap tests.
This http://www.screening.nhs.uk/public gives an idea of what's available and how often.

When I first registered with my GP, I had a 'get to know you' visit with the nurse, where they did height, weight, and blood pressure. Other than my weight being taken two more times, I haven't had weight or blood pressure taken again. On that initial visit they asked the million questions you usually answer by ticking boxes on the sheet the first time you go to any doctor in the States, regarding your past medical history and family history.

I've never really gotten used to the 'one thing only' checkups here. Sure, my pressing issue might be a sinus infection or allergies on a specific visit, but it would be nice to be able to ask about something else while I am already there. I know the visits are free, but it is either bus or taxi fare, or a 20 minute walk (which is fine unless you are feeling horrible and need to be in bed) to get there. I've had them spend longer explaining why they can't answer a second medical question than it would have taken to answer my question.

I did giggle over the 'invitation' for my cervical screening, though.

I have long suspected that a lot of the "preventative" screening done in the US is the result of the fact that insurance (if you are lucky enough to have it) will pay for it. When discussing the frequency for mammograms in the UK (every 3 years) vs. the once yearly that my insurance pays for, my doctor here admitted that probably every 2 years was acceptable for mammograms and pap teats.
This http://www.screening.nhs.uk/public gives an idea of what's available and how often.

My gynecologist wanted me to come in twice a year for a Pap smear/pelvic exam/etc for awhile! And I had to go if I wanted birth control. THAT is totally unnecessary. When I didn't have insurance, she scaled it back to once a year, luckily. Once a year is standard in the US but there was recently a revision of the recommendation to be in line with the UK's once every three years.