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It is advisable to have a comprehensive health screen every two years and a mini-medical (glucose and cholesterol check) every alternate year.
You results will be ready usually two – three weeks after your initial health screen. If there is anything that requires urgent attention you will be contacted by a member of the medical team sooner.
Should there be any significant findings, our medical team will advise you on the next action to take. We will strongly recommend that you make contact with your GP and that he/she is updated on all of your health-related issues.
Our medical team will advise and guide you on all follow up action that may be required.
It is important that in the twelve hours preceding your assessment you consume water only. However, if you have diabetes please continue to control your sugar levels as you normally would. It is permissible to drink as much water as you wish as this will not affect your results.
If you have an afternoon appointment, arrangements can be made to take the required blood samples from you in the morning, allowing you to eat and drink as normal and conduct the remainder of your health screening. If you are concerned about your fasting period, please contact HealthWatch for advice.
When you book your HealthWatch appointment online you will need to complete your health questionnaire before your assessment.
Most assessments include a measurement of your cholesterol and glucose levels. In order to ensure accurate readings, it is important that in the twelve hours preceding your assessment you consume water only. However, if you have diabetes please continue to control your sugar levels as you normally would. It is permissible to drink as much water as you wish as this will not affect your results.
If you are concerned about your fasting period please contact HealthWatch for advice.
What happens if I forgot to fast for 12 hours prior to the appointment? If you forgot or were not able to fast for eight hours prior to your appointment, please let our nurse know.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Please find a list of frequently asked questions and answers below. If you can’t find the answer to your query here, please contact us on 1800 252 969 or info@healthwatch.ie where a member of our team will answer any question you may have.
HealthWatch only provides onsite health screening programmes at your workplace or club for groups of ten – twenty five people per day, depending on the profile chosen.
Yes, we have a large panel of Nurses and providing that the employee numbers are sufficient we can cover all locations in Ireland.
A HealthWatch screening during pregnancy is safe. Blood testing, ECG and Spirometry are safe.
However, certain blood results like cholesterol, liver function and haemoglobin may be altered during pregnancy, so some abnormal results during the pregnant phase may need to be repeated after the baby is delivered to determine the true level.
During the Nurse Appointment our nurse will discuss with you your responses to the health and lifestyle questionnaire which you should complete before your appointment.
We will also carry out the selected non-invasive physical tests which include Height & Weight to calculate your BMI, blood pressure etc and also take the required blood/urine samples.
The samples will be transported to our laboratory for analysis where a comprehensive range of tests will be carried out.
The number of tests carried out will depend on the screening package chosen.
In this section you will find important information regarding specific tests which may be included in your health screening profile. Please take note of the tests listed below that have been included in your screening profile and the relevant preparation guidelines:
- ECG (Heart Assessment) – Please do not apply body moisturising cream the day of the appointment. Male Participants: Please be aware that the nurse may have to shave small areas of your chest to ensure the pads make good contact with the skin.
- Eye Test – If you require corrective lenses/glasses please bring these with you as the eye test should be done with glasses/ lenses if needed.
- Colorectal Cancer Screen – A very small sample of stool is required for this test. A container will be provided for you prior to your screening appointment. When you uncork the lid there is a scoop attached. Using the scoop insert a small piece of your bowel motion into the container. Please write your name, date of birth and date sample taken on the container and bring it with you to your appointment. Avoid eating foods such as black sausages or raw red meat and iron tables or Vitamin C supplements coming up to the date of your screening.
- Lung Function Test (Spirometry) – Please do not smoke prior to the test and do not have a large meal.
- Urinalysis – A urine sample is required for this test. You will be provided with a container for the sample which should be taken first thing in the morning of your health screen.