From the moment you're born, through every stage in your life, the NHS has a series of intervention checks to help you protect your health. This list shows every test and screening provided by the NHS, 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 on the NHS

YOUR CHILD: Click here to see the tests available for your children on the NHS

Click here to find out what tests and checks are available for you and your child if you live 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: Offered free on the NHS by your local GP or community clinic.

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: You will be offered a test at a clinic in your area through the National Chlamydia Screening Programme.

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: You will be sent an invitation from your local GP when your first or next test is due.

What: NHS health check
When: Age 40-74 (every five years unless you require more frequent follow-ups)
Why: The NHS health 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 will be invited by your local GP or Primary Care Trust.

What: Breast cancer screening
When: Age 50-70 (every three years) women aged over 70 can self-refer for screening every three years (the programme will be extended to women aged 47-73 by 2012)
Why: If breast cancer is detected early it improves your chances of survival and requires less aggressive treatment.
How: You will be sent an invitation from your local screening service when your first or next test is due.

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: You will be sent a self-testing kit by your local screening service when your first or next test is due.

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: You will be invited by your midwife or doctor.

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 your midwife or doctor.

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 midwife or doctor.

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: The Healthy Child Programme offers every family a programme of screening tests, immunisations, developmental reviews, and information and guidance to ensure children are healthy and happy.
How: You will be invited by the Healthy Child Programme team or 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 the Healthy Child Programme team or 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 the Healthy Child Programme team or 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 the Healthy Child Programme team or 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 the Healthy Child Programme team or 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: You will be invited by the Healthy Child Programme team or your GP.

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: You will be invited by the Healthy Child Programme team or your GP.

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: You will be invited by the Healthy Child Programme team or your GP.

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: You will be invited by the Healthy Child Programme team or your GP.

TEENAGERS

What: HPV vaccination
When: Age 12-13 (plus catch up for 17-18)
Why: The HPV vaccination protects against HPV infections that can cause cervical cancer.
How: You will be invited by your GP or school.

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