The service was commissioned by the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board as part of the plan to improve the uptake of annual physical health checks (PHC) and associated health interventions for people living with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) and reduce current identified health inequalities.

People with SMI are at a greater risk of poor physical health and have a higher rate of premature mortality than the general population. It is estimated that for people with SMI, 2 in 3 deaths are from physical illnesses that can be prevented. The service strives to ensure more people can access this vital service to improve their physical wellbeing and increase awareness raise awareness of this intervention by holding Health and wellbeing events across the Norfolk and Waveney regions.

Individuals the service supports are contacted by skilled Mental Health Workers and informed about the benefits of PHC so they can make an informed decision about whether they want to take part. Staff are able to answer any questions of concerns they may have and introduce them to the six elements of the health check itself which are shown below:

From April 2025, using Whzan’s Blue Box, Together SMI PHC Practitioners will be carrying out the below six elements of the health checks on behalf of GP’s. The outreach project would include a home visiting service as well as extended outreach appointments in a community setting. The outreach project will serve patients across Norfolk and Waveney, working with PCN’s, practice managers and local mental health secondary care services. Following the health check, Practitioners will transfer the data directly onto the patients SystmOne record and make onward referrals to other services where applicable.

Another feature of the service is that staff can arrange a free taxi transfer for the patient to attend the PHC appointment if travelling to that is a barrier to them taking part. The team can also provide appointment reminder calls and coaching on the day and signposting is available to additional support options quitting smoking, linking with physical activity clubs and services or with weight management. The staff team will look to address barriers people who use the service can face around engaging with healthcare services when they are living with SMI and those can include:

The key partner organisations for the SMI Physical Health Check Service are GP Practices and the team look co collaborate with them to increase the uptake of PHCs with over 50% of individuals who use the service booking an appointment after calls. Each practice is offered a bespoke approach when contacting SMI patients and arranging PHC appointments that works for their region and feedback from any invalid or updated information is collated with a summary of interactions shared. This engagement means the team can notify the practice as to which patients need home visits or if any follow up support is required.

To introduce the service to people in the community and make it feel more accessible Together have hosted SMI Physical Health Check Roadshows. The events feature activities suggested by those with lived experience including a craft table run by someone who uses NIHCSS service, a seed planting workshop in the garden, hand or shoulder massages, a smoothie bike, and the WOW (Wellness on Wheels) bus. People that come along can also meet and speak to various organisations who can provide physical health support including Active Norfolk, Hear for Norfolk and Mind Rest Hub. The team look forward to seeing more people at future events to come throughout Norfolk and Waveney to raise awareness of the importance of the SMI Health Checks.

The team look forward to seeing more people at future events to come throughout Norfolk and Waveney to raise awareness of the importance of the SMI Health Checks.

Videos

To see summary videos from two of the previous SMI Physical Health Check Roadshows click below: