More than 130,000 people in England will be offered free health checks at their workplace from today to tackle conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes.

The announcement is part of the government’s commitment to boost economic growth by improving the health of the nation.

Each check is equivalent to an NHS appointment and will help free up time and cut waiting lists, officials say.

The pilot scheme will see people over the age of 40 provide information which will be used to determine their risk of developing a range of deadly diseases.

Employers from a variety of professions will take part, including those from the building, hospitality and transport sectors and social care.

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Health minister Andrew Gwynne said: “We know so many deadly diseases can be avoided if we seek help in enough time.

“That’s why we’re working to improve access to treatment while also taking steps to address the preventable causes of cardiovascular disease.

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“This innovative new programme is an important step towards community-focused healthcare and supporting economic productivity through improving health, shifting the focus from treatment to prevention, easing the strain on the NHS and helping people to live well for longer.”

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The government has also announced the development of a new digital version of the NHS Health Check, which will be available on the NHS app.

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The platform will allow people to provide information from their home, with the results automatically written back into their GP electronic health record.

Testing will take place in 2025, and councils in Norfolk, Medway and Lambeth, London, have signed up for the trial.

It is estimated the digital initiative will deliver one million checks in its first four years, with plans under way to roll it out nationally alongside face-to-face checks.

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