Health Screening
What is a health screening appointment?
A health screening appointment is Tamar Health’s most thorough health assessment. It goes beyond a standard check-up to give you a complete, objective picture of your health — combining physical measurements, a structured lifestyle review, urine testing, cardiovascular risk calculation and optional blood tests into a single unhurried appointment.
It is suitable for anyone who wants a comprehensive annual MOT, those with a family history of serious conditions, and anyone who wants the most complete picture of their health and risk profile in a single visit.
How does health screening compare?
Not sure which appointment is right for you? Here’s how our three appointment types compare.
| What’s included | Routine AP £65 / 30 min | Lifestyle Review £85 / 45 min | Health Screening £100 / 60 min |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical assessment & history | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blood pressure, heart rate, O2 sats | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| BMI, weight & waist circumference | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Urine dipstick | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Whole-person lifestyle assessment | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diet, sleep, stress & activity review | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| QRISK cardiovascular risk score | — | — | ✓ |
| Written personalised summary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blood tests (optional, individual test costs apply) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| £25 blood draw fee waived | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Blood test results by email with commentary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Phone follow-up if bloods need discussion | — | — | ✓ |
| Annual baseline comparison | — | — | ✓ |
| Fee / Duration | £65 / 30 min | £85 / 45 min | £100 / 60 min |
What’s included in the appointment
Your health screening appointment covers all of the following as standard. It is the most complete appointment we offer.
Health history & background
- Current medications and supplements
- Family history of key conditions
- Past medical history and diagnoses
- Current health concerns and goals
Clinical measurements
- Blood pressure
- Heart rate and rhythm check
- Oxygen saturation
- BMI, weight and waist circumference
- Temperature
- Urine dipstick
Cardiovascular risk
- QRISK score calculated
- 10-year heart disease risk assessment
- Recorded for annual comparison
- Personalised risk reduction advice
Diet & nutrition
- Eating patterns and dietary habits
- Nutritional gaps or deficiencies
- Hydration and caffeine habits
- Supplement review and recommendations
Activity & sleep
- Current activity levels and barriers
- Sleep quality and duration
- Fatigue and energy assessment
- Sleep hygiene and exercise advice
Stress & mental wellbeing
- Work-life balance and stress levels
- Mood and anxiety (screening questions)
- Burnout assessment
- Signposting to further support if needed
Alcohol & smoking
- Current alcohol consumption
- Recommended safe limits and personal risk
- Smoking status and cessation support
- Vaping / nicotine use review
Personalised written summary
- All measurements recorded
- QRISK score and risk profile
- Clear goals and recommendations
- Baseline for annual comparison
Optional blood tests
Blood tests are not automatically included in the screening fee but can be requested and taken at the same appointment. There is no blood draw fee when tests are taken as part of a health screening appointment — you pay only for the individual tests requested. Results are emailed to you with a plain-English clinical commentary. If results need further discussion beyond what email allows, a phone follow-up is included as standard.
| Test component | What it measures | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Full blood count (FBC) | Red cells, white cells, platelets | Screens for anaemia, infection, immune disorders, and blood cancers |
| HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) | 3-month average blood glucose | Detects diabetes or prediabetes; more useful than fasting glucose alone |
| Lipid profile | Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides | Major cardiovascular risk factor; feeds into your QRISK score |
| Liver function tests (LFTs) | ALT, AST, GGT, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, bilirubin | Detects liver disease, drug toxicity, and alcohol damage |
| Kidney function (U&Es) | Creatinine, eGFR, urea, electrolytes | Screens for chronic kidney disease; extremely common and often asymptomatic |
| Thyroid function (TSH) | Thyroid-stimulating hormone | Detects hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism; affects metabolism, mood, energy |
| Vitamin D (25-OH) | Vitamin D level | Deficiency causes weak bones, poor immune function, and mood problems |
| Vitamin B12 and folate | B vitamin levels | Deficiency causes anaemia and neurological symptoms; easily treated if caught |
| Ferritin | Iron storage protein | Low levels cause fatigue even without anaemia; high levels may indicate inflammation |
| CRP (C-reactive protein) | General inflammation marker | Elevated levels indicate ongoing inflammation linked to heart disease |
| PSA (optional, men over 50) | Prostate protein level | Screening marker for prostate disease; results require careful interpretation |
Pricing
All prices are fixed and confirmed at the time of booking. There are no hidden fees. Prescriptions, if issued, are private prescriptions paid for at the pharmacy, plus a small digital prescribing admin fee of £2 per prescription.
What happens at your appointment
Your health screening appointment takes place at our clinic in Estover, Plymouth, in a private consultation room. The full 60 minutes is yours — we do not operate a 10-minute clock.
Your clinician will begin by taking all clinical measurements — blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, BMI, weight, waist circumference and a urine dipstick. They will then calculate your QRISK cardiovascular risk score and work through a structured lifestyle review covering your diet, sleep, activity, stress, alcohol and smoking habits. If you are having blood tests, these are taken at the same appointment.
You will leave with a written personalised summary covering your measurements, QRISK score, lifestyle findings and recommendations. This summary forms your annual baseline — bring it back next year and we will compare your results over time. Blood test results are emailed to you with a full clinical commentary. If results require more than can be covered by email, a phone follow-up is included as part of your appointment fee.
Frequently asked questions
How is health screening different from a lifestyle review?
Both appointments include clinical measurements, BMI, urine dipstick, a whole-person lifestyle assessment covering diet, sleep, stress and activity, and a written personalised summary. Health screening goes further with a QRISK cardiovascular risk score, a structured annual baseline report, and a phone follow-up included if blood results need discussion. It is the most comprehensive appointment we offer and is particularly suited to annual health MOTs and those wanting the most complete picture of their risk profile.
Is the blood draw fee included?
Yes — the £25 blood draw fee is waived when blood tests are taken as part of a health screening appointment. You pay only for the individual tests requested. See our blood test price list for current test costs.
What is a QRISK score?
QRISK is a validated cardiovascular risk tool used across UK primary care. It calculates your 10-year risk of having a heart attack or stroke based on your age, sex, blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, family history and other factors. Your score is recorded at every screening appointment, allowing us to track changes over time and guide any preventive action needed.
Do I really need to fast for this test?
Yes, fasting for 10–12 hours is important for accurate cholesterol and glucose results. Water is fine. If fasting is difficult due to a medical condition such as diabetes, let us know when booking and we will advise on the most appropriate approach for you.
Will I get a phone call about my results?
All blood test results are sent to you by email with a plain-English clinical commentary — we don’t just send numbers, we explain what they mean. If your results contain findings that need more discussion than email allows, a phone follow-up is included as part of your health screening fee at no extra charge.
How often should I have health screening?
Once a year is the right rhythm for most adults over 40, or for anyone with chronic conditions or significant risk factors. Your results are recorded as a baseline — returning annually allows meaningful comparison over time. Our clinician will advise on the most appropriate frequency for your situation.
Should I include PSA testing if I’m a man over 50?
PSA screening is optional. It can detect prostate cancer but also has a high false-positive rate, which can lead to unnecessary anxiety and investigations. It is most useful for men with symptoms, a family history of prostate cancer, or those specifically requesting it. Discuss with your clinician whether PSA testing is appropriate for you.
Do I need to be registered with Tamar Health?
No — you can book and attend without being a registered patient. You remain with your NHS GP for ongoing NHS care. Tamar Health is an independent private clinic that anyone can access directly.
Related services at Tamar Health
Book your health screening in Plymouth
£100 · 60 minutes · No referral needed · Blood draw fee waived · Phone follow-up included if needed.
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