Private Health Screen
A Comprehensive and Individual Review of Your Health
The Private Health Screen at The Health Equation provides a structured assessment of your current health, relevant medical risks and the factors that may influence your future wellbeing.
Led by Mr Gerry Gajadharsingh DO, Osteopath and Diagnostic Consultant in Integrated Medicine, the screen combines a detailed clinical history, physical examination, selected physiological measurements and appropriate laboratory investigations.
Results are not considered in isolation. They are interpreted alongside your symptoms, medical and family history, medication, lifestyle and clinical findings to provide a more meaningful overview of your health.
The purpose is to identify findings that may require medical attention, assess relevant risk factors and highlight practical opportunities to support health, physical function and long-term resilience. Where necessary, further investigation or consultation with your GP or an appropriate medical specialist will be recommended.
The Private Health Screen complements—but does not replace—NHS screening programmes, routine GP care or investigation of new and concerning symptoms.
Click on the image above to download our Heath Screening Brochure.
What Does the Private Health Screen Include?
The Private Health Screen is a comprehensive clinical assessment process built around a 90-minute appointment with Gerry.
The process includes:
- Review of relevant medical information supplied in advance
- A detailed clinical, family and lifestyle history
- Review of current symptoms, medication and previous diagnoses
- Comprehensive physical and functional examination
- Cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological and musculoskeletal assessment
- Selected physiological measurements
- A comprehensive screening blood profile
- Additional age-, sex- or risk-related assessment where clinically appropriate
- Integrated analysis of the findings
- A comprehensive written report and individual health plan
The precise content is adapted to the individual. Age, sex, medical and family history, current symptoms, medication, previous investigations and personal priorities all influence which assessments are appropriate.
Additional laboratory tests or diagnostic imaging are not automatically included. Where further investigation is recommended, the clinical reason, likely value and any additional cost will be explained before proceeding.
Preparing for Your Private Health Screen
Before the appointment, you will be invited to provide relevant clinical information for Gerry to review. This may include:
- Recent blood-test results
- Imaging reports
- Hospital or specialist correspondence
- A current list of medication and supplements
- Details of important personal or family medical history
- Information about any current symptoms or particular health concerns
During the appointment, Gerry will take a detailed clinical history covering your current health, previous medical conditions, family history, medication, lifestyle and relevant risk factors.
The discussion may include cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, neurological, endocrine, metabolic, musculoskeletal and psychological health, as appropriate to the individual.
Providing relevant information in advance allows the appointment to focus on the areas most important to your health while avoiding unnecessary repetition or duplication of previous investigations.
The Private Health Screen includes assessment of respiratory physiology and autonomic regulation using capnometry and heart-rate variability where clinically appropriate.
Capnometry provides non-invasive measurement of:
- End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCOâ‚‚)
- Breathing rate
- Breathing rhythm and pattern
- Heart rate
- Heart-rate variability
These measurements help assess breathing behaviour and the relationship between respiration, cardiovascular activity and autonomic regulation. They may identify patterns such as over-breathing, irregular respiratory control or reduced respiratory flexibility that would not be apparent from routine blood tests or imaging.
Heart-rate variability and respiratory sinus arrhythmia are interpreted alongside the breathing trace, heart rate, symptoms and wider clinical findings. They are not used as standalone measures of health or diagnosis.
Spirometry may also be performed when appropriate to assess airflow and basic lung function. Where an abnormality or significant respiratory concern is identified, further assessment by the patient’s GP or an appropriate medical specialist may be recommended.
A comprehensive screening blood profile is included within the Private Health Screen. A venous blood sample is normally taken during the appointment and analysed by an accredited medical laboratory.
The core profile assesses areas including:
- Full blood count and white-cell differential
- Inflammatory markers
- Blood glucose and HbA1c
- Lipid profile and cardiovascular risk
- Liver and kidney function
- Thyroid function
- Iron status
- Calcium, phosphate and other relevant minerals
- Pancreatic enzymes
- Vitamin D
- Creatine kinase
Blood results are interpreted alongside your clinical history, symptoms, medication, examination findings and relevant risk factors. An isolated result is not treated as a diagnosis, and findings outside—or towards the limits of—a reference range are considered within their wider clinical context.
Additional blood markers may be recommended where the history, examination or initial results identify a relevant clinical question. These are discussed separately and may incur an additional laboratory charge.
The precise composition of the screening profile may be updated periodically to reflect laboratory availability and current clinical requirements.
The Private Health Screen includes a 24-hour Holter ECG assessment to record the electrical activity and rhythm of the heart during normal daily activities and sleep.
A small portable recording device is fitted at the clinic and worn for approximately 24 hours. During this period, you will be asked to follow your usual routine and record any relevant symptoms, such as palpitations, dizziness, breathlessness or chest discomfort.
The device is then returned to the practice, and the recording is securely uploaded for technical analysis. The resulting report is interpreted alongside your symptoms, medical history, examination findings and other cardiovascular risk information.
A Holter ECG can help identify rhythm disturbances that may not be present during a brief clinical examination. It does not assess every aspect of heart health and does not replace urgent medical assessment or specialist cardiology investigation where this is clinically indicated.
A urine dipstick assessment is performed during the Private Health Screen.
This provides a simple initial screen for findings including:
- Blood
- Protein
- Glucose
- Ketones
- Nitrites and leucocytes
- Urine concentration
- Acidity or alkalinity
Abnormal findings may be associated with several different causes and are not diagnostic when considered alone. Results are therefore interpreted in the context of symptoms, medical history, medication, hydration and the other findings from the health screen.
Where appropriate, an abnormal or unexpected result may require repeat testing, formal laboratory analysis or further assessment by the patient’s GP or a medical specialist. Any additional laboratory investigation may incur a separate charge.
Stool testing is not routinely required for every patient and is recommended according to age, symptoms, family history, previous screening and individual clinical risk.
A faecal immunochemical test (FIT) detects small quantities of human blood within a stool sample. It may be used within established bowel-cancer screening programmes or, in appropriate clinical circumstances, to help determine whether further bowel investigation is required.
People registered with an NHS GP in England are currently offered NHS bowel-cancer screening using a home FIT kit every two years between the ages of 50 and 74. People aged 75 or over may request continued screening through the NHS bowel-cancer screening programme.
Faecal calprotectin measures a protein associated with inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract. It may be helpful when inflammatory bowel disease is being considered, but it is not a general screening test for bowel cancer and can be raised for several different reasons.
FIT or faecal calprotectin may be recommended privately where there is a clear clinical indication. The purpose and limitations of the test, any additional cost and the appropriate follow-up pathway will be discussed before testing.
New or concerning bowel symptoms—including persistent rectal bleeding, an unexplained change in bowel habit, unexplained weight loss or iron-deficiency anaemia—require timely medical assessment and should not be managed through health-screening tests alone.
Assessment for men is individualised according to age, symptoms, family and genetic history, ethnicity, previous results and personal preference.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing may be considered following a discussion of its potential benefits and limitations. PSA can be raised for reasons other than prostate cancer, while some clinically significant prostate cancers may not produce a markedly elevated result. An abnormal result therefore requires appropriate medical interpretation and may lead to repeat testing, imaging or referral to a urologist.
Where clinically appropriate, the assessment may include total PSA together with free PSA and the free-to-total PSA ratio. More detailed prostate-risk assessment, including Stockholm3 testing, may be considered selectively after review of the clinical circumstances and previous PSA results. These tests are not automatically required for every man attending a Private Health Screen and may incur an additional charge.
Digital rectal examination is not provided as part of the Private Health Screen.
New urinary symptoms, blood in the urine, unexplained bone pain or other concerning symptoms require appropriate medical assessment and should not be managed through screening blood tests alone.
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Assessment for women is individualised according to age, symptoms, menstrual or reproductive stage, medication, family history, previous screening and personal priorities.
The Private Health Screen does not routinely include mammography or cervical screening. These are provided through established NHS screening programmes:
- NHS cervical screening is offered every five years from age 25 to 64 to women and other people with a cervix.
- NHS breast screening is normally offered every three years from age 50 up to the 71st birthday.
- Women aged 71 or over may contact their local NHS breast-screening service to request continued screening.
Patients who are not up to date with screening will be encouraged to contact their GP or the appropriate NHS screening service. Private HPV testing may also be discussed in selected circumstances.
HE4, CA125 and ROMA
The women’s Private Health Screen includes HE4 and CA125, interpreted through the Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA), as an additional private risk-assessment tool.
ROMA combines the HE4 and CA125 results with menopausal status. It does not diagnose or exclude ovarian cancer and is not a substitute for clinical examination, pelvic imaging, gynaecological assessment or investigation of relevant symptoms.
The test was principally developed to help assess malignancy risk in women with an identified ovarian or adnexal mass. Its use within broader private health assessment must therefore be interpreted cautiously and within the individual clinical context.
An abnormal result may arise for reasons other than ovarian cancer and may lead to repeat testing, pelvic imaging or referral to a gynaecologist. A result within the expected range cannot completely exclude ovarian pathology.
Hormonal or other targeted blood tests may also be recommended where clinically appropriate. Their selection and interpretation depend upon age, symptoms, menstrual or menopausal status, hormone therapy, medication and the timing of sample collection.
New breast changes, postmenopausal bleeding, bleeding between periods or after intercourse, persistent abdominal distension, pelvic pain or other concerning symptoms require appropriate medical assessment and should not be managed through blood testing alone.
The standard Private Health Screen provides a broad assessment, but no single screening programme can investigate every possible health condition.
Additional laboratory tests may be recommended when the clinical history, examination or initial results identify a relevant question. Depending upon the individual presentation, these may include:
- Hormonal assessment
- Nutritional and mineral markers
- Rheumatology or autoimmune investigations
- Bone-health and osteoporosis markers
- Additional cardiovascular or metabolic assessment
- Sexual-health testing
- Further gastrointestinal investigations
- Repeat or confirmatory testing of an unexpected result
Diagnostic imaging may also be recommended where clinically appropriate. This could include ultrasound, X-ray, MRI or CT imaging, cardiovascular imaging or bone-density assessment.
Additional tests and imaging are not automatically included within the standard health-screen fee. The clinical reason, limitations, likely value and cost will be discussed before proceeding.
Tumour Markers
Most blood tumour markers are not suitable as general screening tests in people without symptoms or other relevant clinical findings. They may be raised in non-cancerous conditions, while a result within the expected range does not necessarily exclude malignancy.
Where a tumour marker is considered, its use should be guided by the individual’s symptoms, medical and family history, examination findings and any relevant imaging. The possible benefits and limitations will be discussed before testing.
Unexpected or abnormal findings may require repeat testing, diagnostic imaging or referral to an appropriate medical specialist.
Tumour Markers
Patients are increasingly asking about blood tests relating to screening for cancer, these are called tumour markers. There are pros and cons about running these tests, which can be arranged at an additional cost. Please see the information below.
Understanding Tumour Markers: Uses and Limitations
Private Health Screen
Results and Analysis
Your Results and Comprehensive Written Report
Following completion of the health screen and receipt of the laboratory results, Gerry undertakes an integrated clinical analysis and prepares a comprehensive written report.
The report brings together:
- Relevant findings from your clinical and family history
- Physical and functional examination findings
- Respiratory and autonomic assessment
- Cardiovascular and metabolic risk
- Blood-test and urinalysis results
- 24-hour ECG findings
- Relevant age-, sex- and risk-related assessments
- Findings that may require further investigation
- Prioritised and practical recommendations
Where appropriate, established clinical risk-assessment tools may also be used. These may include QRISK3 for cardiovascular risk, FRAX and current NOGG guidance for fracture risk, FIB-4 for liver-fibrosis risk and appropriate assessment of body composition, muscular function or cognition.
Functional Blood Analysis
In addition to identifying results outside the laboratory reference range, Gerry examines patterns and relationships across the blood profile.
This may include consideration of:
- Inflammatory activity
- Glycaemic regulation
- Lipid metabolism and cardiovascular risk
- Liver and kidney function
- Thyroid regulation
- Iron, mineral and nutritional status
- Protein balance
- Relevant hormonal findings
Functional interpretation does not replace standard laboratory reference ranges or established medical diagnosis. It provides an additional method of considering trends, relationships and results that may be clinically relevant when interpreted alongside the patient’s history, symptoms, medication and examination findings.
The report distinguishes between findings that require medical attention, factors that warrant monitoring and areas in which proportionate changes to nutrition, activity, sleep, breathing or other aspects of health may be helpful.
Where appropriate and with the patient’s consent, the report may be shared with their GP, consultant or another regulated healthcare professional.
A follow-up consultation may be booked if further discussion, clarification or ongoing management is required. Follow-up appointments are charged separately at the relevant consultation rate.
View an Example Private Health Screen Report
View an Example Functional Blood Analysis Report
Booking Your Private Health Screen
The Private Health Screen is available at The Health Equation clinics in central London and Alton Barnes, near Marlborough in Wiltshire.
The principal appointment lasts approximately 90 minutes. You will receive preparation instructions in advance, including any requirements relating to food, drink, medication, exercise or the collection of samples.
The standard fee includes the clinical assessment, core screening investigations and comprehensive written report. Additional laboratory tests, diagnostic imaging and follow-up consultations are charged separately where required.
The Private Health Screen is intended for planned preventive assessment. It is not appropriate for urgent symptoms or an acute medical emergency, which should be assessed through the appropriate NHS or emergency service.
