The North Cumbria Community Mental Health Transformation program commissioned Cumbria Health to partner with PCNs and GP practices in November 2022 in order to deliver the annual health checks for people with Severe Mental Illness (SMI)  People with Severe Mental Illnesses (SMI) are at higher risk of poor physical health and on average leads to a 15–20-year lower life expectancy. 

Compared with the general patient population, patients with SMI are at substantially higher risk of obesity, asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease. People with a long-standing mental health problems are twice as likely to smoke, with the highest rates among people with psychosis or bipolar disorder. 

The physical health checks include, height, weight (BMI), blood pressure, near point testing of lipids and blood glucose, and a lifestyle conversation identifying smoking, drinking and exercise habits. 

Medication reviews

Mental Health review to give them some time to share how they are managing. 

These appointments happen in their own surgeries, other surgeries, in community venues or within their own home.