HEALTH SCREENING
What Is Included in Private Health Screening?
What a screening appointment actually covers, why it starts with a medical discussion, and how to choose the right level of assessment.
A useful screening appointment is not only about the list of tests. It starts with a medical discussion. A GP needs to understand what has changed, what the patient is worried about, whether there are symptoms, what the family history looks like, and what previous results have shown. Only then can screening be matched properly to the individual rather than delivered as a generic package.
In practical terms, private health screening may include cardiovascular and blood-pressure review, cholesterol and diabetes markers, kidney and liver function, thyroid testing, nutritional markers such as iron, vitamin B12, folate and vitamin D, and selected hormone-related tests where clinically appropriate. Good screening also includes interpretation — patients want to know whether a result is normal, borderline or clearly abnormal, and whether it changes what should happen next.
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What the consultation covers before any tests are ordered
At Basuto, every screening appointment begins with a 30-minute GP consultation. Your doctor reviews your current symptoms (if any), past medical history, medication, family history, blood pressure, weight trends and lifestyle factors. This conversation shapes which tests are genuinely useful. A patient with a strong family history of cardiovascular disease needs different screening from someone whose main concern is fatigue and hormonal change. A 35-year-old with no symptoms may benefit from a lighter baseline review, while a 55-year-old with rising blood pressure and a sedentary lifestyle may warrant broader metabolic and cardiovascular assessment.
This is one of the most important differences between a GP-led screening appointment and a package-based service. The consultation decides what is worth checking — and equally, what is unlikely to change management and is therefore not necessary.
Common markers included in screening
While every screening is tailored, the most commonly reviewed markers include a full blood count (anaemia, infection, inflammation), lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), HbA1c or fasting glucose (diabetes risk), liver function (ALT, ALP, GGT, bilirubin), kidney function (creatinine, eGFR, urea), thyroid function (TSH, free T4), iron studies and ferritin, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and folate. For male patients, PSA may be discussed depending on age and risk. For female patients, hormonal markers may be relevant if menopause or menstrual concerns are part of the picture.
Blood pressure measurement, weight and BMI review, and a discussion of cardiovascular risk factors typically sit alongside the blood work as part of a rounded assessment.
Options
Choosing the right level of screening
Not every patient needs the most comprehensive option. A standard GP-led screening conversation may be the right starting point for most. A focused route such as a Well Man Check or Well Woman Check is useful for patients who want age- and sex-specific review. An Executive Health Check suits patients who want a more detailed baseline with broader biomarker coverage and a written report.
Same-day appointments available. Book online or call 020 7736 7557.
Follow-up
What happens after screening results come back
Results are reviewed by the GP who ordered the screening. Your doctor will explain what is normal, what is borderline, and what is genuinely abnormal. Where follow-up is needed, the next step may be repeat testing, treatment, lifestyle advice, a prescription, monitoring, or a specialist referral. The aim is that screening leads to a clearer plan rather than a stack of data the patient has to interpret alone.
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