From the moment you're born, through every stage in your life, a series of
intervention checks are available to help you protect your health. This list
shows every test and screening on offer, so get familiar with it, don't be
afraid to chat to your GP and learn how to keep your body in tip-top
condition!
YOU: See below for the tests available to you
in the Republic of Ireland
YOUR CHILD: Click here to see the tests available for your children in the Republic of Ireland
What: Contraception
When: 15 - 55.
Why:
To prevent unwanted pregnancies and STIs like Chlamydia, which can lead to
permanent infertility, HIV and Syphilis.
How: Only available
from the Well Woman Centre or Family Planning Centre at a charge.
What: Chlamydia testing
When: Sexually active women and
men under 25.
Why: Chlamydia often has no symptoms, so many
people don't even realise they have it. If left untreated it can cause
pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy.
How:
A test is available at the Well Woman Centre for a small fee(15 euro).
What: Cervical screening
When: Age 25-49 (every three
years), age 50-64 (every five years), women aged over 64 are eligible if
they have never been screened of if their last three tests were not clear.
Why:
To detect abnormalities of the cervix, which if left undetected and
untreated, may go on to develop into cervical cancer.
How: Anyone
over the age of 25 can ask their GP to refer them for a test or the Well
Woman Centre offers them free of charge.
What: Health check
When: Age 40-74 (every five years
unless you require more frequent follow-ups)
Why: Ahealth
check is like a full MOT for your body. It checks your risk of heart disease
and stroke, diabetes and chronic kidney disease. You'll be given advice and
may be referred for medication, lifestyle interventions or further
investigation.
How: You can get a full medical check from
your GP free of charge if you have a medical card or at a fee for anyone
under private health care.
What: Breast cancer screening
When: Age 50-64 (every
two years)
Why: If breast cancer is detected early it
improves your chances of survival and requires less aggressive treatment.
How:
BreastCheck is a Government funded programme providing breast screening
and invites women aged 50 to 64 for a free mammogram on an area-by-area
basis every two years.
What: Bowel cancer screening
When: Women and men aged
60-69 will be sent a self-testing kit to use at home every 2 years (the
programme will be extended to people aged 70-75 from 2010)
Why:
To detect bowel cancer earlier, with a better chance of survival and
less aggressive treatment.
How: Available from your GP.
If you are pregnant:
What: 10 appointments (for your first baby) with a midwife or doctor to
conduct blood tests.
When: 0 - 8 weeks of pregnancy.
Why:
You'll be given advice on keeping healthy while pregnant and the risks
and benefits of antenatal screening.
How: Make an
appointment with your local GP or midwife.
What: Infectious diseases screening.
When: As soon as
possible during pregnancy.
Why: To check for infectious
diseases like hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis.
How: Your
doctor or midwife will carry out the check.
What: Blood tests for haemoglobin and blood group and rhesus status and
antibodies and an ultrasound scan to determine your due date.
When:
By 12th completed week of pregnancy
Why: To ensure you
and your baby have all the support you need and to give you the chance to
ask questions, confirm your due date and check if you need any extra medical
care.
How: Make an appointment with your midwife.
What: Fetal anomaly screening
When: 10-20 weeks of
pregnancy.
Why: To identify any possible abnormalities or
anomalies in the baby, such as Down's syndrome.
How: You
will be invited by you doctor or midwife.
What: Advice, health checks and tests.
When: 16 weeks
of pregnancy.
Why: You'll be given information about the
ultrasound scan offered at 18-20 weeks and have some checks and tests such
as blood pressure, urine as well as receiving the results of early screening
tests.
How: You will be invited by your midwife or doctor.
What: Detailed ultrasound scan.
When: 18-21 weeks of
pregnancy.
Why: This anomaly scan checks the structural
development of the baby, enabling referral to a specialist if needed.
How:
Your midwife or doctor will invite you.
What: Health checks and tests, review and discussion
When:
25 weeks, 31 weeks, 34 weeks, 36 weeks, 40 weeks.
Why: These
check-ups are to monitor the health of both you and your baby and give you
information to help you prepare for the birth (including breast feeding,
recognising active labour and coping with pain).
How: At
your antenatal appointment.
BABIES
What: Newborn hearing screening.
When: Within 72 hours
of birth.
Why: To check for deafness and hearing impairment
in newborn babies.
How: You will be invited by your doctor
or midwife.
What: Newborn infant physical examination.
When: Within
72 hours of birth and again when baby is 6-8 weeks old.
Why: This
general physical examination is to check your baby's overall health and also
screen for less obvious conditions or abnormalities like congenital cardiac
defects, developmental dysplasia of the hip and some ocular disorders.
How:
You will be invited by your midwife or doctor.
What: Bloodspot screening programme.
When: One week
after birth.
Why: All babies are offered screening for
phenylketonuria (PKU), congenital hypothyroidism (CHT), sickle cell and
thalassaemia disorders, cystic fibrosis and Medium Chain Acyl-CoA
Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MCADD). These are rare but serious conditions
which, if left undiagnosed and untreated, can lead to health problems,
severe disability or even death.
How: You will be invited by
your midwife or doctor.
What: TB (BCG) and hepatitis B immunization.
When:
After birth for some babies.
Why: Immunisation is vital for
preventing the spread of infectious diseases that can cause serious health
problems and in some cases, death.
How: You will be invited
by your GP.
What: Diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Heamophilus influenzae type b
(which can lead to septicemia, pneumonia and meningitis) and pneumococcal
infection.
When: Eight weeks.
Why:
Immunisation is vital for preventing the spread of infectious diseases that
can cause serious health problems and in some cases, death.
How:
You will be invited by your GP.
What: The second set of inoculations including meningococcus C, which
protects against some forms of meningitis and septicaemia.
When: Three
months.
Why: Immunisation is vital for preventing the spread
of infectious diseases that can cause serious health problems and in some
cases, death.
How: You will be invited by your GP.
What: The third set including pneumococcal and meningococcus C.
When:
Four months.
Why: Immunisation is vital for preventing the spread
of infectious diseases that can cause serious health problems and in some
cases, death.
How: You will be invited by your GP.
What: Review of baby's health, physical, social and emotional needs.
Heamophilus influenzae type b and meningococcus C. Your baby's immunisation
history will also be checked and any missed immunisations will be offered.
When:
12 months.
Why: Immunisation is vital for preventing the
spread of infectious diseases that can cause serious health problems and in
some cases, death.
How: You will be invited by your GP.
What: Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and pneumococcal infection. Your
baby's immunisation history will be checked again and any missed
immunisations will be offered.
When: 13 months.
Why:
Immunisation is vital for preventing the spread of infectious diseases
that can cause serious health problems and in some cases, death.
How:
Your GP will offer you the immunization vaccines.
TODDLERS
What: Immunisation status reviewed to catch up on any missed
immunisations.
When: Between two and two and a half years.
Why:
Immunisation is vital for preventing the spread of infectious diseases
that can cause serious health problems and in some cases, death.
How:
Your GP offers the service.
What: MMR, polio & diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough and catch
up on missed immunisations.
When: Three years and four
months - Three years and six months.
Why: Immunisation
is vital for preventing the spread of infectious diseases that can cause
serious health problems and in some cases, death.
How: Your
GP offers the service.
CHILDREN
What: Immunisation status reviewed to catch up on any missed
immunisations.
When: Five years or soon after they start
school.
Why: Immunisation is vital for preventing the spread
of infectious diseases that can cause serious health problems and in some
cases, death.
How: The service is available from your GP.
TEENAGERS
What: Contraception
When: 15 - 55.
Why:
To prevent unwanted pregnancies and STIs like Chlamydia, which can lead to
permanent infertility, HIV and Syphilis.
How: Only available
from the Well Woman Centre or Family Planning Centre at a charge.
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