Essential Health Checks Every Employee Should Take Annually

Every employer has a duty to look after the health and wellbeing of their employees. Some employers will interpret this as basic health and safety compliance, while many other employers take this very seriously, prioritise the health and wellbeing of their employees and go well beyond their statutory duties. This comes from being a good employer first and foremost, but also means an employer recognises the benefits of having a healthy and engaged workforce that feels valued and cared for. A big part of this is annual workplace health checks and a series of blood tests that every employee should have.

The importance of annual health checks

Routine blood tests should be a central part of employee health checks as they provide vital insight into the general health of an employee and will provide guidance on how that individual may need to be managed in the future. For the employee, of course, blood tests can also provide critical health information.

• Early detection – The primary benefit of routine blood tests is to detect diseases and health conditions at an early stage. Many serious conditions can develop without any symptoms, or they produce symptoms which are not out of the ordinary. However, annual health checks can play a pivotal role in identifying hidden conditions which, with timely medical interventions, can make managing the condition easier and more manageable.
• Ongoing health monitoring – Some employees may be undergoing treatment on conditions already detected and diagnosed, and so annual blood tests as part of a corporate health checks programme provides a continuous overview of their health status, and helps inform workplace management strategies for that individual.
• Preventive healthcare – By undertaking regular blood tests on the most important health conditions, employees can receive early warnings of potential health risks and can be proactive in making critical lifestyle adjustments before serious health implications strike. These can include dietary changes and increasing general fitness levels.

By incorporating annual blood tests into employee health checks the employer is taking positive steps to manage and prioritise the health and wellbeing of their employees. But which blood tests should be included in workforce health checks?

Essential blood tests to include in workforce health checks

The blood tests to include in a routine workforce health check should ideally be tailored to suit the individual. Healthcare professionals who provide employee health checks should be able to provide a bespoke service to meet the health needs of each employee, and which will include specific tests to help monitor specific conditions. But at the same time, there are general blood tests which provide vital insight on the most common conditions that UK adults are exposed to. These include:

• Blood pressure – A blood pressure result that is high or low can help to identify underlying health issues, and can help an employee make lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of stroke or heart disease.
• Vitamin D – This is important for bone strength, immune system function, mood regulation and energy levels. But many adults in the UK have low vitamin D levels, particularly in winter. This is a quick and simple blood test with instant results.
• Full blood count – This provides a general overview of your health status and can help in detecting conditions such as infections, anaemia and leukaemia.
• Cholesterol – A blood test to check for cholesterol levels can be critical in detecting signs of heart disease or stroke. High cholesterol levels can be managed by lifestyle changes and dietary adjustments.
• Diabetes – You can verify the development of diabetes with a quick and simple finger prick blood test known as the HbA1c. This can help to diagnose diabetes, which could explain workplace tiredness, loss of concentration and blurred vision. This test can also monitor the progress of people previously diagnosed with diabetes.
• Kidney function – The kidneys control various functions of the body, so maintaining healthy kidneys is essential for overall health and wellbeing.
• Liver function – The liver also controls essential bodily functions such as blood sugar regulation, immune system response and blood detoxification. This test can check that you are maintaining optimum liver functioning.
• Minerals – The body needs minerals for proper development and functioning, and if you have deficiencies in any of the minerals in the body this can lead to various symptoms and conditions. This blood test checks that you have normal levels of minerals in the body.
• Thyroid – The thyroid gland is crucial in managing fatigue, mood regulation and weight, and a blood test helps to identify any thyroid disorders which could otherwise go undetected.

Developing annual employee health checks

Many of these tests are included in the Well Man and Well Woman range of tests provided by HealthClinic2You. A starting point for the employer, therefore, is to address each employee individually and establish what ongoing conditions they have. This, along with their gender, can help to build a health profile and can start to form an individualised programme of employee health checks so that health and wellbeing monitoring is robust and effective for every employee.

If you need experienced health professionals to support you in creating this programme, contact HealthClinic2You today.