Patients can currently book an appointment at any Superdrug nurse-lead health clinic, where a qualified nurse will perform “a quick and extensive health check” starting with a blood test and health questionnaire, the multiple wrote in a statement today (January 10).
Meanwhile, the “walk-in” option of the service is being trialled at Superdrug’s Manchester Denton health clinic, with plans “to roll out the walk-in element to all health clinics”, a Superdrug spokesperson told C+D today.
The walk-in appointments aim to “increase accessibility” to the service, the multiple added.
The nurses’ assessment
Nurses will analyse blood tests against 44 common health markers and – among other things – check patients’ blood sugar, iron and vitamin levels, as well as making assessments on their liver health, cholesterol status and kidney health.
Patients will be able to access a breakdown of the results of their tests on their online account within five days.
A medical expert will then “comprehensively explain the results” to patients, the multiple wrote.
The service is only available at Superdrug's nurse-led clinics due to the blood test element of the screening and “does not currently apply to pharmacies”, the spokesperson added.
The service is available to patients aged 16 years and older at a cost of £139 until January 25, after which it will revert to its usual retail price of £159.
Why was the service launched?
Superdrug healthcare director Michael Henry said: “With the NHS under significant strain over the coming weeks, we’re committed to looking at how our nurses can provide services that support people’s health needs.”.
Superdrug launched its walk-in health check service after a survey it commissioned – which gathered responses from 2,331 people – highlighted “a severe lack of understanding when it comes to personal health issues and how to prevent or solve them”.
Superdrug’s medical ambassador Sara Kayat said the health checks are “very useful in flagging up early risk factors for conditions like stroke, heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease”.