'Silent killers': workplace health checks direct 1 in 4 employees to GP

28% of workers were advised to see a GP following mini health checks that identified 'silent killers.'

Related topics:  Employee Health,  New Leaf
Lucy Whalen | Editorial Assistant, Protection Reporter
18th August 2026
NHS Health Check
"Personal health can often fall to the bottom of an employee's to-do list until symptoms appear, especially in a busy workplace."
- Andy Lee O’Neil - New Leaf Health

New data from workplace wellbeing service provider New Leaf Health has found that, of the 1,764 health checks it carried out across a variety of workplaces in the UK from January to July 2026, it recommended that 495 attendees visit their GP after their scores fell outside the ranges recommended by NICE guidance.

The mini health checks evaluate systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as good cholesterol, plus non-HDL and cholesterol ratio calculations, and blood glucose levels.

These checks can highlight asymptomatic, high-risk conditions that frequently develop and go unnoticed by employees. 

With the NHS facing sustained pressure, New Leaf Health says that the routine employer-led health checks are proving to be a vital preventative measure, as catching asymptomatic markers early allows employees to make critical dietary or lifestyle adjustments before serious conditions require acute emergency care. 

READ MORE: 65% of people afraid mental health will lead to declined cover

"Elevated blood pressure and raised cholesterol levels often don’t have many early warning signs, making them silent risks to long-term health," Andy Lee O’Neil, director at New Leaf Health, said.

"If these issues are left unmanaged, this can result in arterial blockages, which are a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes in the UK, and an increased long-term risk of cardiovascular disease and kidney damage. It’s extremely important to know your numbers and take control.

"Personal health can often fall to the bottom of an employee's to-do list until symptoms appear, especially in a busy workplace. Offering routine health checks as a workplace benefit breaks that cycle. It gives staff total peace of mind in just ten minutes, while helping employers build a resilient, healthy workforce from the inside out."

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