Council approves new £1.96m NHS Health Checks contract
Eligible residents across Wolverhampton will continue to benefit from free NHS Health Checks under a new long‑term contract that the City of Wolverhampton Council will award to local GP practices and Primary Care Networks.
The seven‑year, £1.96m contract – running initially for three years from 1 September 2026 with further extensions subject to funding – was agreed by Cabinet last night (Wednesday 18 March, 2026) and will ensure the continuation of a vital service that helps detect early signs of serious, but preventable, health conditions.
NHS Health Checks are available to eligible 40 to 74-year-olds once every five years. They assess the individual’s health and identify relatively simple lifestyle changes which could lower their risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and dementia.
Councils have a mandatory responsibility under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to commission and monitor NHS Health Check programmes locally.
The number of eligible residents in Wolverhampton receiving their NHS Health Check is above the average for England and the West Midlands, and last year alone, some 8,220 eligible residents received their NHS Health Check – the highest figure ever recorded in the city.
Wolverhampton is also part of the national pilot for the new NHS Health Check Online – a digital version of the programme which invites people to complete health checks from the comfort of their own homes. This hybrid approach aims to increase accessibility while keeping face‑to‑face GP checks available for those who need them.
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the council's Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: "The free NHS Health Check is a vitally important tool, enabling doctors to identify and address undiagnosed conditions before serious health problems develop, and allowing people to make simple lifestyle changes where necessary.
"Spotting any risks early can help people stay healthier for longer and make a real difference to their quality of life. It can also help reduce pressure on the NHS.
“This new multi‑year contract, representing nearly £2 million of investment in services delivered by local GPs and Primary Care Networks, will ensure we meet our legal duties but, even more importantly, empower thousands of local people to take control of their health."
For more information on NHS Health Checks, please visit wolverhampton.gov.uk/healthcheck
