A well woman clinic provides an ideal opportunity for a health MOT. Women's Editor Christen Pears reports.

WITH today's increasingly hectic lifestyle, it's easy to neglect your health. Between going to work and picking the children up from school, there is little time for a visit to the doctor. It's often easier to ignore the niggling pain in your side or just take pills to mask the headaches you keep getting.

But while most minor health problems turn out to be nothing, it is worth putting the time aside to have them checked out properly. The private Woodlands Hospital in Darlington held its first well woman clinic last week, offering patients an hour-long health assessment with a GP. It provides an opportunity for a complete check-up, as well as allaying the fears that arise from the health scare stories that appear in the media on such a regular basis.

Before attending the clinic, you are asked to fill in a lengthy form, answering questions about your health and lifestyle, from the date of your last smear test to how much you drink each week. It gives the doctor a base to work from, telling them whether you have any concerns or pose any health risks.

My assessment starts with a session with a nurse, who tests my blood pressure, works out my body mass index and wires me up to an ECG machine to test my heart.

This is followed by a consultation with Dr Sarah Hollis. As well as running the well woman clinic, she works as a GP for the Army at Catterick Garrison.

"I used to do a lot of family planning and women's medicine, which I particularly enjoy, so this is a wonderful opportunity," she says.

"It's really nice to be able to give someone the space and time to address their worries and concerns. You usually get people opening up to you, telling you the things that are difficult to say in a ten-minute session with your GP."

And it's true. There is none of the sense of urgency associated with a GP appointment, nor the feeling that you're somehow wasting their time.

Dr Hollis works through the form with me, asking me whether I have any particular worries. As I don't, we whizz straight through. She then listens to my heart and checks my breasts and looks at my eyes and ears.

Depending on your concerns and risk factors, there are a number of tests and examinations available. Patients can request a chest X-ray, ultrasound scan, pelvic examination, mammogram and hearing test if they want. A full blood profile is also on offer, which includes a cholesterol check.

The doctor will also carry out a full lifestyle assessment if you want, recommending a health action plan. As the name suggests, this extends beyond purely medical issues and includes advice on diet and exercise.

At £175, the well woman assessment is not cheap but it is a sound investment.

Dr Hollis says: "Sometimes patients have something they are really worried about and obviously, if there are any problems we will pick them up but most people come to this type of clinic simply to have their minds put at rest. It's mainly an exercise in reassurance.

"We are thorough but have to be really careful not to investigate inappropriately as this could increase people's anxiety. If you tell someone they need a blood test, they think something is wrong and we are careful to avoid that. We are just here to improve the quality of people's lives and give them the reassurance they need."

* The Woodlands Hospital also runs a well man clinic. For more information, telephone Woodlands Hospital on (01325) 341701.