Why NHS health checks should follow Japan's lead

Could introducing Japanese-style health check-ups for people when they turn 65 help revolutionise adult social care in the UK?

- By CAMILLA FOSTER

A new report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) certainly suggests so.

The think tank highlighted that “Japan has half the number of people in care homes as the UK, despite a much older population,” and its new report recommends that the Government “should look to the Japanese model of proactive assessments”.

Among other measures, the report advised the Government to introduce a health MOT for 65-year-olds, similar to the system in Japan where assessments are made for various types of support, ranging from in-home assistance with tasks such as cooking and dressing, to residential respite care and certain medical or nursing services for long-term conditions.

Here, Dr Mohammed Enayat, GP and founder of the London-based longevity clinic HUM2N, sheds light on the health MOTs available through the NHS and highlights valuable lessons we could take from Japan's approach.