The Cardiovascular Risk Management (CRM) service is a new NHS programme designed to support people who may be at higher risk of developing conditions such as:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes complications
- Kidney problems
The aim is to help you stay healthy for longer, reduce future risks, and support you to make changes that matter to you.
Eligible patients are invited by the GP Practice to use the service.
Why have I been invited?
You have been invited because your GP practice has identified that you may benefit from a proactive health review.
This could be because:
- You have one or more long-term conditions (such as high blood pressure or diabetes)
- Some of your recent results suggest increased health risks
- You may benefit from extra support with lifestyle or prevention
This is a routine and preventative appointment, not because something is wrong.
What will happen at my appointment?
Your initial check and test appointment will usually last around 30 minutes and will be with a nurse, Healthcare Assistant (HCA), or General Practice Assistant (GPA)
During this appointment, blood tests and physical measurements will be taken. You will be asked some questions about your lifestyle and go through some screening questions.
After this first appointment, a follow up appointment will be made for you in a few weeks’ time
During this appointment, we will:
- Review your current health and any conditions you may have
- Discuss your blood pressure, cholesterol, or other results
- Talk about your lifestyle (such as diet, activity, or smoking)
- Agree a personalised care plan based on what matters to you
How can I help make my appointment successful?
To help us provide the best possible care and make the most of your appointment, we ask patients to:
Before your appointment
Complete the pre-screening questionnaire sent by your GP practice. This may be sent by email, the NHS app or text message.
These questions will include questions about your lifestyle , how confident you feel about your health and your general wellbeing
Completing this in advance helps the clinical team prepare for your appointment and focus on what matters most to you.
On the day of your appointment
Please come prepared to provide a urine sample and discuss any health goals or lifestyle changes you may wish to make, such as:
- Weight management
- Stopping smoking
- Improving blood pressure
- Increasing physical activity
- Healthy eating
Thinking about these areas beforehand can help us create a personalised care plan that supports your health goals and improves your long-term wellbeing.
After your follow up appointment
Complete the post-screening questionnaire sent by your GP practice. This may be sent by text message, email or the NHS app.
Frequently asked questions
We’ve answered some common questions about the service below:
Will I need follow-up appointments?
Some patients may benefit from follow-up support. This could include:
- Checking your progress
- Adjusting your care plan
- Ongoing advice and encouragement
Do I have to attend?
The appointment is optional, but we strongly encourage you to attend as it can help:
- Reduce your risk of serious illness
- Improve your overall wellbeing
- Give you more control over your health
How do I cancel or rearrange?
If you need to change, or cancel your appointment, please contact us via Patchs, by calling or in-person.
Self-hub resources you can access
Eat well
The NHS healthy eating guidance has lots of great recipes and portion advice
Quit smoking & reduce alcohol
Try the NHS Stop Smoking Services and head here for advice on drinking less
Improve sleep
Learn healthy sleep habits via this NHS advice
Mental wellbeing
Get support via the NHS Mental Wellbeing resources. Visit here.
Local wellbeing hub
Find out more about the Westminster Wellbeing Hub: a central resource for mental health and wellbeing support. Visit here
Support from voluntary and community organisations
Access the Community Directory: a full list of voluntary and community organisations in your area. Visit here
Access talking therapies
Westminster Talking Therapies Service: part of the national ‘NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression’ service, provided by Central and North West London (CNWL) NHS Foundation Trust.
They offer a range of talking therapies for people who struggle with depression, anxiety, stress, panic disorders, sleep disorders, to name a few, in the Westminster borough. (The service is previously known as IAPT, which stands for ‘Improving Access to Psychological Therapies’.)