This is made possible by North Somerset Council’s successful bid for funding. The Workplace Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Health Checks Pilot grant scheme, launched in March, aims to broaden the ways in which the Health Checks programme is delivered, making it more convenient for people to complete a check so they can understand and improve their cardiovascular health. North Somerset Council is one of 48 authorities to successfully secure funding.
The council’s public health team has been awarded £124,800 to run the pilot scheme locally and aims to deliver 2,600 health checks to people in their place of work between September and the end of March 2025. Councillor Jenna Ho Marris, North Somerset Council’s executive member with responsibility for public health, said: "I’m delighted we’ve secured this funding and that North Somerset will be one of the areas taking part in this national pilot programme. "It’s part of our continuing commitment to help people live healthier lives and tackle health inequalities.
"Sadly, cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death and disability in England but 80 per cent of CVD is preventable. "Identifying risk factors such as high blood pressure early means we can help people to get the support and treatment they need to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease and avoid heart attacks and strokes—helping people to live well for longer." The council’s Healthy Workplaces team will work with local businesses and organisations.