The Norfolk NHS Health Check service is delivered directly to residents by our friendly Health Check Practitioner team. We asked one of them, Zoe, to tell us what it's like to train to perform the role.

"I have a BSc Hons in Sport, Health and Exercise from the University of Suffolk - so learning about health and our bodies was not new to me when I trained to become a Health Check Practitioner. I was really excited to have the opportunity to continue my learning in the health sector and to support people across our community.

"The training process to become a Health Check Practitioner was exciting, yet very intense. Because we are dealing directly with members of the public about their health and concerns we need the skills and expertise to do the right things and give the right guidance. This is really important.

"During the training we got a lot of up-to-date information and got to practice using various pieces of medical equipment required to perform an NHS Health Check. For the duration of the training I lost track of the world outside - I was right in my learning bubble!

"No stone was left unturned as we went through several days of the course at Carrow Road Football Ground. Topics covered included safeguarding, as well as the step-by-step process for conducting an NHS Health Check. We also practiced CPR and learned how to use an automated external defibrillator.

"The main gadget for the NHS Health Check to test blood glucose and cholesterol. This is a new and advanced piece of equipment that gives results in just minutes. Me and the team paired up and practiced on each other.

"There was also lots of learning about the latest public health guidelines.

"The final part of training taught us comprehensively how to interpret and feedback the NHS Health Check results, and what do to with patient when their risk score is either Low, Medium or High.

"The training was tough, but it needed to be to ensure we are giving the best possible service. I had some nerves delivering my first ever public NHS Health Check, but I am really into the spring of things now. What has been interesting is seeing lots of positive reaction from people, which my colleague Kirsty wrote about previously. I had expected to have to deal with some tough situations, as maybe people found up worrying news - but many people are finding out they are healthier than they expected.

Some of the feedback has been fantastic. One patient told us:

"It was amazingly professional. I found out my blood pressure was mega high which, within an hour, I've seen a nurse and doctor about. I would never have known if I hadn't gone for my health check. It was made a real difference."

We will keep our training and knowledge up to date while we delivery the Norfolk NHS Health Service - practice makes permanent and the more checks we complete the better we will be!"