HEALTH MOTs for over the 40s in Swindon are not in danger of being axed.

So says Coun Brian Ford, the borough council's lead on health.

He spoke out after it was revealed the government was planning to review this scheme, looking at a digital alternative to free up GP appointments.

Currently people aged between 40 and 74 are invited to their surgery for standard tests every five years.

But figures published yesterday by Public Health England reveal only 45 per cent of people offered a health check in Swindon between April-June took it up.

Coun Ford said: “We have no plans to stop NHS health checks.

“Our latest figures show that we are performing above the national average.

“All but two practices are now providing health checks and in 2018/19 we invited 94 per cent of our eligible population and saw an uptake of 54 per cent, considerably higher than the national figure of 45 per cent.

“PHE is embarking on the review of the NHS health check as it is now 10 years since its launch.’”

The routine MOT checks include tests for blood pressure, cholesterol and weight, and aim to spot the risks of a stroke, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and dementia.

Professor Jamie Waterall, national lead for the NHS Health Check programme, said: “The number of people attending a check during the first quarter of this year is up 10 per cent on the same period last year – the highest it has ever been since 2015/16. The check is quick and easy, providing a world-leading prevention programme, and years of ill health and thousands of lives may have been saved.”