Free health check kiosks in Southwark
Southwark community health ambassadors recently hosted an event at the Castle Leisure Centre aimed at educating centre staff on the purpose and function of the ‘vital 5’ health kiosk installed there. This initiative followed a recent evaluation of the kiosks, which underscored the crucial role onsite staff can play in raising awareness and promoting use.
Southwark’s health kiosk programme began in July 2021, with just one kiosk being trialled at the Castle Leisure Centre. The programme was designed to provide Southwark residents with free access to a digital, self-service health check, supporting them to identify and understand their health measurements including weight, body mass index and blood pressure, and get personalised guidance on how to improve their health (including seeking medical advice if necessary), and local services appropriate for them.
Partnership Southwark, which includes the NHS and Southwark Council, developed the programme further and expanded it to provide six health kiosks in libraries and leisure centres across the borough. The kiosks address two key areas of Partnership Southwark’s Health and Care Plan: prevention and health inequalities, by taking information and support to improve the ‘vital 5’ health measurements (BMI, blood pressure, mental health/stress levels, alcohol status and smoking status) into the heart of local communities, creating a positive impact on the long term health of everyone in the borough. The programme has recently been re-commissioned to continue for three years, with additional kiosks to be installed across Southwark.
In 2024/25, around 11,800 residents used the kiosks, with just over 21,000 health checks completed at the kiosks. From these, 3,261 people were advised to contact their GP for further assistance with high blood pressure and/or a high BMI. Over 10% of residents using the kiosks stated they were smokers, and over 55% were identified as overweight or obese. The kiosks also identified around 5,500 users who had not had a blood pressure check in the previous 12 months.
The three-hour event at the Castle Leisure Centre saw a strong staff turnout. Feedback from staff at the centre was positive, noting the kiosks were practical and easy to use. In addition to in-person training, staff at each location where the health kiosks are situated will be required to complete an online mandatory training module on the health kiosks.
Southwark community health ambassadors will be conducting additional events at other health kiosk locations in the coming months. Find out where the kiosks are located. Find out more about Southwark’s community health ambassador programme.