THE final results are in — and The BIG Bolton Health Check has been hailed a huge success.

More than 73,000 people — 82 per cent of the over-45 population of Bolton — have had the simple 10-minute check.

Doctor’s surgeries will continue to push for the remaining 15,000 to be tested, despite the official campaign, launched in conjunction with The Bolton News, coming to an end.

Dr Stephen Liversedge, who led the project, said: “We have had a lot of interest in our work from primary care trusts all over the country. Many want to know how we have done it.

“We are going to continue visiting practices, reduce the age limit to 40 and expand our work. It’s not the end, it’s just the end of the beginning.”

The BIG Bolton Health check was launched last June to help identify people in Bolton in need of medical attention or who needed to make lifestyle changes.

The test included blood pressure and cholesterol checks, as well as lifestyle questions.

More than 19,000 people were identified as being at high risk of developing heart disease and are receiving treatment or have been advised to make lifestyle changes to reduce the risk.

An additional 1,250 patients have been placed on the chronic kidney disease register and 870 more have joined the diabetes register.

The trust is sharing its work across the country and will now go on to reduce the age limit for the checks, to include people aged over 40.

The final results of The BIG Bolton Health Check were discussed at NHS Bolton’s board meeting on Wednesday, when members congratulated the team for all their hard work.

Pam Senior, chairwoman of the board, said: “The board echoes the sentiments of members — Stephen Liversedge, Lynda Helsby and everyone involved has done an amazing job.”

Tell Us...
Has your life been saved by having The BIG Bolton health Check?