Six Health Checks Every Man Should Book This Year

You’re probably brilliant at reminding patients to attend appointments—but when was the last time you booked one for yourself?

Healthcare workers spend their careers encouraging others to stay healthy, yet many admit they postpone their own routine checks because of busy rotas, long shifts and family commitments.

The truth is, most of these appointments take less than an hour, but they could make a significant difference to your long-term health.

Here’s a simple checklist to work through this year.

1. Book a GP Health Review

You don’t need to be ill to see your GP.

A routine review is an opportunity to discuss any new symptoms, family history, weight, lifestyle or concerns before they become bigger problems. If you’ve been putting something off because life has been busy, now is the time to book that appointment.

2. Visit Your Dentist

Looking after your teeth is about much more than your smile.

Regular dental examinations can identify tooth decay, gum disease and other oral health problems early, when they’re often easier to treat.

Busy shifts and grabbing food on the go can make dental care easy to overlook, so try not to let routine appointments slip.

3. Have Your Eyes Tested

Good eyesight is essential in healthcare.

Whether you’re reading medication labels, documenting patient records, driving between visits or working with screens for much of the day, regular eye tests help ensure you’re seeing clearly.

An eye examination can also detect signs of other health conditions, sometimes before symptoms develop.

4. Know Your Blood Pressure

High blood pressure often has no obvious symptoms.

A quick check at your GP surgery, local pharmacy or with a home monitor could identify a problem long before you feel unwell.

Knowing your blood pressure is one of the simplest things you can do to protect your heart.

5. Check Your Skin

Most moles are harmless, but it’s worth getting into the habit of checking your skin every few months.

Arrange an appointment with your GP if you notice a mole or skin lesion that:

• Changes in size, shape or colour.
• Has irregular edges.
• Bleeds, crusts or doesn’t heal.
• Looks noticeably different from your other moles.

Early assessment is always worthwhile if something doesn’t look right.

6. Check In With Your Mental Wellbeing

Physical health isn’t the only health that matters.

Ask yourself:

• Am I sleeping well?
• Am I coping with work?
• Have I lost interest in things I normally enjoy?
• Am I constantly stressed or overwhelmed?
• When did I last talk honestly about how I’m feeling?

Healthcare professionals spend every day supporting other people. Sometimes the hardest person to check in with is yourself.

If you’re struggling, speak to someone you trust, your GP or your employer’s wellbeing service.

Save This Checklist

• GP review
• Dental check-up
• Eye test
• Blood pressure check
• Skin mole check
• Mental wellbeing check-in

You don’t need to complete them all this week.

But if you can tick off these six health checks over the next twelve months, you’ll be giving yourself the same standard of care you provide to others every single day.

Because prevention isn’t just for patients—it’s for healthcare workers too.

This article is intended for general wellbeing information only and should not replace personalised medical advice. If you notice new symptoms or have concerns about your physical or mental health, seek advice from your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional.