Mental Health Reviews

Primary care staff have a critical role to play in helping people with mental health problems to improve their physical health. Research tells us physical health and mental health are directly linked and indicates that the physical health of people with a severe mental health problem can be poor.

We know that those with serious mental health can have a reduced life expectancy and have an increased risk of developing serious health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and obesity.

Facts
People with a severe mental illness face a greater risk of developing physical illnesses. They are:
• 2-4 times as likely to develop cardiovascular disease
• 2-4 times more at risk of developing a respiratory disease
• 2 times more at risk of developing bowel cancer
• 5 times more at risk of developing diabetes
• A person with schizophrenia can expect to live for 16- 20 years less than someone without a
mental health problem.
Forty percent of people with mental illness smoke, compared with 17% of the general population
Smoking kills 96,000 people every year in the UK
Cancer of the testicles accounts for only 1% of all cancers in men however, it is the most common type of
cancer within males ages 16-35
Prostate cancer is the most common in men over 40,000 new ceases every year.
27% of all cancer deaths are caused by smoking.

Practice Process

All patients with serious mental health issues will be invited for an annual health check with our Health Care Assistants, you should either make an appointment by telephone, via “MYGP” or with an online request. You will be booked in a 30 minute appointment where you will be asked to share information about your lifestyle, you will have your height and weight measured along with your blood pressure. Some blood tests are needed to ensure you are in good health.