Private Health Checks in London Victoria

What Is a Private Health Check?

A private health check — also called a health MOT, executive health check, or wellness screen — is a structured clinical assessment designed to evaluate your current health status, identify risk factors for future disease, and detect early-stage conditions before they cause symptoms. It is not a single test, but a coordinated programme of investigations interpreted by a doctor in the context of your personal and family medical history.

The concept of preventive health assessment has a strong evidence base. Systematic reviews of general health checks demonstrate that they increase the detection of previously undiagnosed conditions, improve risk factor management, and support behavioural change in areas such as smoking cessation, physical activity, and diet [4]. The NHS Health Check programme — offered to adults aged 40–74 — is built on the same principle, though it covers a narrower range of investigations than a comprehensive private health check.

Private health checks go further. They include investigations not routinely available through the NHS Health Check, such as extended thyroid panels, lipoprotein(a) measurement, abdominal ultrasound, echocardiogram, and specialist consultations. The GP consultation is longer — typically 30 minutes — allowing a thorough clinical history, a detailed discussion of risk factors, and a personalised prevention plan.

Health Check Packages at Victoria Medical

We offer three core health check packages, each designed for a different level of assessment. All packages include a GP consultation and a written health report. Additional investigations can be added to any package.

What Your Health Check Includes

Every health check at Victoria Medical begins with a GP consultation. Your doctor will take a detailed medical history, review your family history and lifestyle risk factors, and discuss any symptoms or concerns you have. This clinical context is essential for interpreting your test results accurately — a slightly elevated CRP means something very different in a patient with a recent infection than in one with no obvious cause.

Blood tests are taken at the same appointment and processed by our CQC-registered laboratory partner. Most results are available within 24 hours, and a follow-up consultation is included to review the findings and discuss any recommendations. A written health report is provided within 48 hours of your appointment.

The Conditions a Health Check Can Detect Before Symptoms Appear

The clinical value of a health check lies in detecting conditions during their silent phase — before they cause symptoms, complications, or irreversible organ damage. The conditions below are among the most common findings at a Victoria Medical health check.

Hypertension is the single most important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease globally [1]. Blood pressure measurement takes less than two minutes, yet approximately 14 million adults in the UK have hypertension that is either undiagnosed or inadequately treated. Sustained hypertension damages the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels over years, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and renal failure. Early detection and treatment dramatically reduces this risk.

Type 2 diabetes develops over a period of years, during which blood glucose levels are elevated but below the diagnostic threshold for diabetes — a state known as prediabetes or impaired glucose regulation. The UK Prospective Diabetes Study demonstrated that intensive management of blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipids in patients with type 2 diabetes significantly reduces the risk of microvascular and macrovascular complications [2]. Detecting diabetes or prediabetes early — through HbA1c testing — allows intervention before complications develop.

Dyslipidaemia — elevated LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or elevated triglycerides — is present in over half of UK adults and is a primary driver of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The QRISK3 cardiovascular risk score, calculated as part of our Comprehensive and Executive health checks, uses lipid levels alongside other risk factors to estimate an individual's 10-year risk of a heart attack or stroke, guiding decisions about statin therapy and lifestyle intervention [3].

Health Checks for Men

Men are statistically less likely than women to seek medical attention proactively, and more likely to present with advanced disease as a result. A private health check provides a structured opportunity for men to assess their cardiovascular risk, metabolic health, and hormone status in a single appointment.

Our men's health check includes PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing for men over 40, testosterone and male hormone assessment, cardiovascular risk scoring, and — in the Executive package — an echocardiogram and abdominal ultrasound. The abdominal ultrasound includes aortic screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), which is recommended for men over 65 but is offered earlier for those with risk factors such as hypertension, smoking history, or a family history of AAA.

Testosterone deficiency — also called hypogonadism — affects an estimated 2–4% of men, rising to 20% in men over 60. Symptoms include fatigue, low libido, erectile dysfunction, reduced muscle mass, and low mood. A male hormone panel, included in our Comprehensive and Executive health checks, identifies testosterone deficiency and guides decisions about testosterone replacement therapy.

Health Checks for Women

Women's health screening at Victoria Medical covers the full range of age-appropriate investigations, from reproductive hormone assessment in younger women to cardiovascular risk and bone health screening in those approaching or past menopause.

Our women's health check includes cervical screening (if due), female hormone panel (FSH, LH, oestradiol, AMH, thyroid function), CA-125 ovarian marker (in the Executive package), and a pelvic ultrasound (available as an add-on). For women with menopausal symptoms, a dedicated menopause assessment can be combined with the health check.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women over 50 in the UK, yet women are less likely than men to be prescribed statins or antihypertensives despite equivalent cardiovascular risk. A health check that includes QRISK3 scoring, lipid testing, and blood pressure measurement provides the clinical foundation for evidence-based cardiovascular risk management in women.

NHS Health Check vs Private Health Check

The NHS Health Check is offered to adults aged 40–74 every five years and focuses on cardiovascular risk assessment. It includes blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, blood glucose, and a lifestyle questionnaire. It is a valuable programme, but it is limited in scope and frequency. A private health check at Victoria Medical provides a more comprehensive assessment, with a broader range of investigations, a longer GP consultation, and same-day results.

Receiving and Acting on Your Results

The value of a health check lies not in the tests themselves, but in what you do with the results. At Victoria Medical, every health check includes a follow-up consultation to review your results and discuss any findings. Your GP will explain what each result means in plain language, identify any areas of concern, and provide specific, actionable recommendations.

If a result requires further investigation — an abnormal ECG finding, an elevated PSA, or a thyroid abnormality — we arrange the appropriate follow-up promptly. If a result is normal, we provide reassurance and a personalised prevention plan to help you maintain your health. A written health report is provided after every check, summarising your results, your risk factors, and your personalised recommendations. This document can be shared with your NHS GP or any other healthcare provider.

How to Book Your Private Health Check

Booking a private health check at Victoria Medical is straightforward. Use our online booking system to select your package and appointment time. If you are unsure which package is most appropriate, our team can advise by telephone.

Health checks typically take 60–90 minutes for the Essential and Comprehensive packages, and a half-day for the Executive package. Please fast for 8–12 hours before your appointment — water is permitted — to ensure accurate fasting blood test results. You can eat and drink normally after your blood tests have been taken.

The clinic is at 170 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1DX — two minutes from Victoria Station (Victoria, Circle, and District lines, and National Rail).

Patients Often Ask About...

Many patients book a health check after reading about a specific condition or wanting to understand what a comprehensive assessment involves. The three guides below address the questions our patients ask most frequently when researching private health checks — covering what is included in a health check, what blood tests to have at 40, and what cholesterol numbers mean.

How to Book Your Private Health Check

Booking a private health check at Victoria Medical is straightforward. Use our online booking system to select your package and appointment time. If you are unsure which package is most appropriate, our team can advise by telephone.

Health checks typically take 60–90 minutes for the Essential and Comprehensive packages, and a half-day for the Executive package. Please fast for 8–12 hours before your appointment — water is permitted — to ensure accurate fasting blood test results. You can eat and drink normally after your blood tests have been taken.

The clinic is at 170 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1DX — two minutes from Victoria Station (Victoria, Circle, and District lines, and National Rail).

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. [1]Mills KT et al. Global Disparities of Hypertension Prevalence and Control: A Systematic Analysis of Population-Based Studies From 90 Countries. Circulation. 2016;134(6):441–450.
2. [2]Holman RR et al. 10-Year Follow-up of Intensive Glucose Control in Type 2 Diabetes (UKPDS 80). N Engl J Med. 2008;359(15):1577–1589.
3. [3]Hippisley-Cox J et al. Development and validation of QRISK3 risk prediction algorithms to estimate future risk of cardiovascular disease: prospective cohort study. BMJ. 2017;357:j2099.
4. [4]Si S et al. What are the effects of general health checks on clinical, quality of life, behavioural and social outcomes? A systematic review. BMJ Open. 2021;11(1):e041457.
5. [5]Krogsboll LT et al. General health checks in adults for reducing morbidity and mortality from disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;1(1):CD009009.
6. [6]Cooney MT et al. Value of a systematic coronary risk evaluation (SCORE) approach in clinical practice: the EURIKA study. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2016;16:154.