Barnet Council to offer free health checks for World Diabetes Day - here’s how to book

This week, Barnet Council is offering free health checks to everyone who either studies or works in the borough as part of World Diabetes Day. This is available to those aged over 40.

In the UK, around 4.9 million people have diabetes, and Diabetes.org claims that around 13.6 million people are now at ‘increased risk’ of developing type two diabetes. The organisation also claims that by 2030, 5.5 million people will have the condition in the UK.

At the free health check, you can get your blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, height, weight and your BMI checked. People taking advantage of this offer will be asked questions regarding their lifestyle, such as their diet and if they smoke or drink alcohol.

The check up will take around 20 minutes and the council is able to offer six sessions per hour. You also do not need to be registered with a GP to be eligible for the free check up. You just need to either live, or work in Barnet. Walk-ins are available, but you can also book a slot on the Barnet Council website.

The screening sessions began on Monday (November 14) with two more scheduled for this week. Further screenings are available on Wednesday, November 16 and Friday November 18.

On Wednesday (November 16) it lasts from 10am to 4pm and is being held at One Stonegrove Community Centre in Edgware. On Friday (November 18) it is being held at the Barnet Library in Colney Hatch.

In 2021, Diabetes.org claimed that almost 600,000 people in London had diabetes. The highest rate was found in Harrow with 9.9 percent, whilst Hammersmith and Fulham had the lowest rate with 3.3 percent.