Preventive medicine
Finding and addressing risk before it becomes disease — the least dramatic and most valuable thing general practice does.
Most of the conditions that shorten life in Ireland develop quietly over years and are modifiable long before they cause symptoms. Preventive appointments exist to find that risk while there is still time to act on it.
What this covers at our Naas clinic
Preventive appointments assess overall risk rather than investigating a specific complaint.
- Cardiovascular risk assessment
- Blood pressure measurement and monitoring
- Cholesterol and lipid profile testing
- Blood glucose testing and diabetes risk assessment
- Weight, BMI and waist measurement with practical advice
- Smoking cessation support
- Alcohol use review and brief intervention
- Family history review and its implications for your risk
- Vaccination status review
- Signposting to national screening programmes
What to expect
- Booking
Phone the practice on 045 850060 and say you would like a health check or risk assessment.
- Baseline measurements
Blood pressure, weight and other relevant measurements are taken, and bloods are arranged where they will inform your risk assessment.
- Putting it together
Your clinician combines measurements, results, family history and lifestyle into an overall picture of risk, and explains what it means.
- The plan
Where risk is raised, you agree a plan — that may be treatment, a change you make, or a review interval. Small changes made early are what this is for.
Who this is for
Preventive appointments are for people who are currently well.
- Adults who have not had a health check in some years
- People with a family history of heart disease, stroke or diabetes
- People wanting to address weight, smoking or alcohol
- People whose blood pressure has been noted as borderline
- Anyone wanting to understand their own risk
National screening programmes
Ireland runs national population screening programmes separately from general practice — CervicalCheck for cervical screening, BreastCheck for breast screening, and BowelScreen for bowel screening. These operate on their own invitation cycles based on age and eligibility.
They are not the same as a GP health check, and one does not replace the other. A preventive appointment at the practice can confirm which programmes you are eligible for, check whether you are up to date, and address anything the programmes do not cover — cardiovascular risk in particular.
This page is general information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you need to be seen. If you are worried about a symptom, phone the practice on 045 850060. If someone is seriously ill or in immediate danger, call 112 or 999.
Other services
General Practice
Everyday medical care for adults and children — illness, infections, examinations, referrals and medical certificates.
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Injuries & Wound Care
Dressings, wound review, suturing, sprains, strains and burns assessment.
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Chronic Disease Management
Structured reviews for diabetes, asthma, COPD, blood pressure and heart disease under the HSE programme.
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Women's Health & Family Planning
Contraception, cervical screening, menopause support and pregnancy care.
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Men's Health
Health checks, cardiovascular risk and prostate assessment.
Learn more
Vaccinations & Immunisation
Childhood immunisations, flu and COVID-19 vaccination, and travel vaccines.
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Paediatric Assessments
Developmental checks and assessment of babies, children and teenagers.
Learn moreMinor Surgery
Moles, cysts, ingrown toenails, incision and drainage and minor lacerations — open to non-patients.
Learn morePreventive Medicine — common questions
What is included in a GP health check?
A health check assesses overall risk rather than investigating a specific complaint. It typically includes blood pressure, weight, cholesterol and blood glucose testing, along with a review of family history and lifestyle, combined into an overall risk picture.
How often should I have a health check?
It depends on your age, family history and existing risk factors. Your GP will suggest an interval that suits your situation.
Is a health check the same as national screening?
No. CervicalCheck, BreastCheck and BowelScreen are separate national programmes with their own invitation cycles. A GP health check complements them and covers cardiovascular risk, which they do not.
Can the practice help me stop smoking?
Yes. Smoking cessation support is part of preventive care, including discussion of what has and has not worked before and what treatment options may help.
Speak to the practice about preventive medicine
Call during opening hours and reception will take it from there.