Preparing for your health assessment
We’re looking forward to saying hello Thank you for choosing Bupa for your health assessment. This booklet gives you some information on how to prepare for the day and what to expect. If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, we’re always happy to help on 0333 290 8872*.
If you can’t make your appointment –– If you need to cancel or reschedule, please let us know at least five working days before your appointment. –– If you don’t give us five working day’s notice, we’ll need to charge you a fee of £75 – this is due to the preparations we have to make. –– If the cancellation is less than 24 hours before your health assessment, or you don’t turn up, we’ll have to charge the full cost of the assessment.
If you have any questions, say hello on
0333
920 8872*
*We may record or monitor our calls.
Before your appointment Fill in your questionnaire
Stick to a light meal
Stay hydrated
Continue medication
Plan for childcare
Complete the health questionnaire we’ve sent with this pack and bring it with you on the day.
There’s no need to fast beforehand – but ideally try not to eat a heavy meal.
Drink plenty of water on the day so that you’re well hydrated – but please try to avoid caffeine three hours before your appointment.
Please carry on taking any medication you usually take.
Make any necessary childcare arrangements as we don’t have facilities for children under 18.
You can do this online if you’d prefer by following the link sent to you in your appointment confirmation email.
On the day Arrival
Payment
What to wear
Please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment time so that we can check we have all your details including your GP’s address. If you’re delayed we’ll do our best to fit you in, but you may have to wait or some tests may have to be left out.
If you’re paying for the assessment yourself, we take payment on the day – cash and card are all accepted.
Please wear, or bring to change into, comfortable clothing you can easily stretch and move in as we may do a few gentle movements.
What you need to know about our tests We want to help you understand the thinking behind some of our key tests. If you’re not sure whether your health assessment includes these tests, please take a look at the product comparison table at the back of this booklet. Prostate specific antigen (PSA)
Human papillomavirus
Research shows that the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test may not be as useful in detecting prostate cancer as was once thought. Your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of having this test with you on the day, but you can also read the prostate cancer blood test information leaflet in advance.
Some strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) are associated with the development of cervical cancer. If your smear is abnormal, we will test it for the presence of HPV. If we do not find HPV, the risk of developing an abnormality that may become cancerous is very low and your doctor may advise a routine follow-up.
Cervical smear test
Mammography
This is best carried out in the middle of your cycle. If you’re having your period, we’ll need to arrange for your cervical smear to be done at another time.
If you’re having a mammogram, please avoid spray deodorant or talcum powder as these may affect the quality of the mammogram image. However, it’s okay to use a roll-on deodorant.
Smear tests are recommended for all women between the ages of 25 and 65. If you’re under 25, you can discuss your risk of cervical cancer with your doctor.
We recommend mammography from the age of 40 onwards. Breast tissue in younger women tends to be more dense which can make reading mammograms more difficult. Mammograms are generally carried out every two years for most women over the age of 50 unless recommended by a breast specialist.
Advanced fitness test The advanced fitness test involves you cycling on a static bicycle. As you do this, we’ll monitor how your heart rate and breathing change in response to the exercise. We want to make sure the information we gather is accurate, so please stick to the following guidelines: JJ
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avoid strenuous physical activity during the 12 hours before your appointment do not smoke for two hours before your appointment
It’s very important that you tell us about any recent symptoms and give us full details of your medical history so that we can assess your health risks for exercise.
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significant current symptoms like chest pain, dizziness, fainting etc raised resting blood pressure above 160/100 mmHg recent fever or infection any current or previous history of heart problems
any current or previous neurological problems like stroke or brain tumour other serious medical conditions like uncontrolled diabetes or asthma pregnancy or recent childbirth abnormality on the resting electrocardiogram (ECG) trace problems with muscles, bones and joints and recent injuries
Some medicines may interfere with the heart rhythm. If you’re taking any of the following you won’t be able to take the bicycle exercise test: JJ
Exclusions If you have any of the following conditions, you may not be able to have the advanced fitness test:
any current or previous lung problems including an active chest infection
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cold and cough remedies that contain ephedrine and pseudoephedrine drugs that control the heart rhythm, including digoxin tricyclic antidepressants for depression in certain circumstances oral beta-blockers
Total duration of health assessment (minutes) Time with a Health Adviser (minutes) Time with a Doctor (minutes) Understanding you Personal consultation with a doctor Physical examination based on individual needs Medical history and lifestyle questionnaire Motivation and readiness assessment – evaluates how prepared you are to make positive lifestyle changes Lifestyle assessment Diet Physical activity Smoking, alcohol and sleep behaviour Cardiovascular disease risk score Diabetes risk score Healthy mind General mental health and stress assessment Depression and anxiety assessment Body composition Height, weight and body mass index (BMI) Waist to height ratio Body fat percentage Heart and lungs Heart rhythm screening Resting electrocardiogram (ECG) Blood pressure (dual arm) Blood pressure (one arm) Lung function test Chest X-ray Blood and urine Diabetes Hba1c blood test (no fasting required) Anaemia test Cholesterol profile test Kidney function tests Full blood count Biochemistry profile including tests for liver function and gout Vitamin B12 and folate test Thyroid function test Urine test Bowel health Blood in stool test to check for bowel cancer (age 45 plus) Sensory Hearing assessment (alternative to musculoskeletal assessment)
60 60 0
Female Health
Mature Health
Health Peak
Health Enhance
Health Focus
Health Core
Product comparison list
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Female Health
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Health Core Total duration of health assessment (minutes) Time with a Health Adviser (minutes) Time with a Doctor (minutes) Women’s health Cervical smear test (age 25 plus) Human papilloma virus (HPV) test – if abnormality detected in smear High vaginal swab (HVS) Breast examination Men’s Health Testicular examination Prostate examination Prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test (age 50 plus) Fitness Musculoskeletal assessment – assesses muscles, bones and joints (alternative to hearing assessment) Mature musculoskeletal assessment – assesses muscle, bones and joints (age 65 plus) Advanced fitness test – completed on a bicycle ergometer to measure the three following outcomes; – personalised fitness score – Vo2 max (predicted) using breath by breath gas analysis – body metabolism and efficiency during exercise – anaerobic threshold Grip strength Supporting you Report and personalised health and lifestyle action plan Two post assessment follow-up calls† with a Bupa Health Adviser Bupa Boost membership (online health and wellbeing app) Access to Anytime HealthLine^
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Specialised health tests are also available at an additional cost. These include; Advanced Fitness Test, Coronary Health, Colon Health and Breast Health. Anytime HealthLine All health assessments provide you with access to the Anytime HealthLine^. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you can ring and talk to one of our qualified nurses about any health issues, and if necessary receive a call back from a GP within the hour. *If clinically indicated. † Maximum of 15 minutes per follow-up call. The follow-up call may not be with the Health Adviser who facilitated your health assessment. ^ 12 months access starting from the day of your health assessment. For company contracts, eligible employees will have access for the duration of your company’s contract if longer.
Bupa health assessments are provided by Bupa Occupational Health Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 631336. Registered office: Bupa House, 15-19 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2BA © Bupa 2016
bupa.co.uk
HA/1426/JAN16 06032
