Staff from one of Oxfordshire’s biggest travel companies are putting themselves in the driving seat when it comes to healthy lifestyles.

Drivers, engineers and office workers at Stagecoach in Oxfordshire are putting themselves on the right road to a fitter future today as they take part in a mini NHS Health Check being staged by Oxfordshire County Council’s Public Health Team at the firm’s Cowley HQ.

The county’s Public Health Team is keen to drop in on some of Oxfordshire’s biggest companies to spread the word about the huge and often life-saving benefits of the free health check programme, which is provided by Oxfordshire GP practices.

The NHS Health Check is specifically designed for anyone aged between 40 and 74 who has not already been diagnosed with a cardiovascular condition.

The 20-minute tests reveal people’s risks of; having killer high blood pressure, developing heart disease, having a stroke, Type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and Dementia.

The mini-health check being staged with Stagecoach in Oxfordshire, which last year provided 19 million passenger journeys in the city and county, as well as on the Oxford Tube, is designed to highlight the NHS Health Check programme and raise awareness of this vital test.

Abbey Pettigrew, Stagecoach in Oxfordshire Operations Manager said: “Stagecoach is committed to the health and wellbeing of all of its staff.

"We wanted to bring a health check direct to staff, at their place of work, to make it much more convenient for them.

"Oxfordshire County Council’s Public Health Team will be visiting the depot for a full day promoting the NHS Health Check Programme and giving staff the opportunity to speak to a health care professional and also have a mini health check.

“In order to make this happen, without any disruption to our customers, we have ensured that operationally all shifts and jobs will be covered on the day to allow staff members to attend the 20-minute appointment.

“We have been overwhelmed by the response, so we will certainly be considering doing more in the future across our other depots.”

One Stagecoach staff member looking forward to the event is driver Paul Overton, 48, pictured above with Oxfordshire County Council’s Health Improvement Practitioner Liz Benhamou.

The dad of three who drives the 1 route in Blackbird Leys says he tries to keep himself fit by walking, playing badminton and squash, but he is keen to know how he can improve his wellbeing.

Dr Eunan O'Neill, public health consultant at Oxfordshire County Council, said: “NHS Health Checks are a brilliant way for people to get an overview of their general health and a fast, effective method of finding out if there are some simple things they could be doing to improve their long-term health and well-being.”

Every person who undergoes a mini health check will be given a traffic light warning grade.

Red for danger, amber for caution and green for all clear.

The test will not include a blood test so the public health team will be urging Stagecoach staff to make appointments with their GP surgery for a full NHS Health Check

For staff who don’t manage to see a health care professional on the day, the public health team will be on hand to facilitate appointments with GPs.

Also attending today will be Active Oxfordshire’s Physical Activity and Health Officer, Leila Javadi-Babreh, who will give tips and advice on healthy eating, exercises that can be done seated and performed in a short amount of time.