Health MOTs, are they worth it?

Private health screening seems to be a good idea with the UK offering a multimillion-pound industry. Well people can pay for a range of checks, from full physical to detailed radiographic analysis. However, concern is rising that the limitations and risks are not properly explained. Private health MOTs have been known to miss existing problems.

According to a report by the Consumer Association Which? health checks can pick up minor problems that can cause the patient worry. Eight out of 12 undercover reporters, who were deemed healthy before they were sent to private clinics were referred on to their GPs.

Consistency of advice is also being called into question. One reporter was fed three different likelihoods of him developing heart disease, from lower than average to being a higher than expected risk. CT scans are also called in question as they can pick up serious issues but also innocent shadows, in at least one in ten people according to the Times. It is sometimes impossible to tell the difference which means that the patient will worry unnecessarily.

The Times recommends taking advantage of NHS routine checks and screening programmes but to be wary of the private screening sector.

  What's this?