Protecting your health
Find out about NHS health checks, immunisations, cancer screening and sexual health.
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NHS health checks
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An NHS Health Check is a sophisticated check of your heart health aimed at adults aged 40 to 74.
The check involves measuring your:
- blood pressure
- pulse
- height
- weight
It also involves asking you some lifestyle questions, to see if there’s more you can do to look after your health.
- Immunisations and vaccinations
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Vaccinations are the most effective way to protect you and your family from serious and potentially fatal diseases. The NHS has a free vaccination programme for pregnant women, babies, children, and adults.
Find out about vaccinations on the NHS website.
- Covid-19 vaccination
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Vaccination is an important part of protecting yourself if you are at increased risk from COVID-19.
The vaccines are normally given in autumn/winter and then spring every year. Some people with a severely weakened immune system may need additional protection at other times. Your specialist or GP will assess if you or your child (aged six months or over) needs a vaccine.
Find out about the COVID-19 vaccine on the NHS website.
To book your vaccine visit to the national booking service, which is open during autumn/winter and spring.
- Flu vaccination
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For some people, flu can be an unpleasant illness. For many, particularly those with certain health conditions, older people and pregnant women, flu can be very dangerous and even life-threatening.
Every autumn the NHS offers free vaccinations to those who are most at risk from serious flu complications.
Find out about flu and the vaccine on the NHS website.
The flu vaccine is recommended for the following children:
- aged two or three years on 31 August 2025
- school-aged (Reception to Year 11)
- aged six months to 17 years with certain long-term health conditions
Find out more about vaccinations for children on the NHS website.
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Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine
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The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against serious illnesses like pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis. It is recommended for people at higher risk of these illnesses such as babies and people aged over 65 years.
Babies are given the PCV vaccine as part of the routine immunisations schedule.
Adults will be invited for the PCV vaccine at the GP practice when they turn 65. Contact your GP practice if you have missed your PCV vaccination.
Find out about the pneumococcal vaccine on the NHS website.
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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine
- The RSV vaccine helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common virus that can make babies and older adults seriously ill. The vaccine helps reduce the risk of serious breathing problems like pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
The RSV vaccine is recommended if:
- you are pregnant – the vaccine is recommended during every pregnancy, from 28 weeks onwards, to help protect your baby after they are born
- you are aged 75 to 79
If eligible, you can get the RSV vaccine at any time, not just in the autumn.
Find out about the RSV vaccine on the NHS website.
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Shingles
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Shingles infection causes a painful rash. It can sometimes lead to serious problems such as long-lasting pain, hearing loss or blindness.
You are more likely to get shingles, and it's more likely to cause serious problems, as you get older or if you have a severely weakened immune system.
The shingles vaccine helps:
- reduce your chances of getting shingles
- reduce your chances of getting serious problems if you do get shingles
The shingles vaccination is recommended for:
- people who turn 65 on or after 1 September 2023. Two doses 6 to 12 months apart. You remain eligible until your 80th birthday. If you turned 65 before September 2023 you will become eligible when you turn 70.
- people aged between 70 and 79. You will be eligible until your 80th birthday.
- people aged 50 and over with severely weakened immune systems.
Contact your GP surgery if you have missed your shingles vaccine.
There are two types of shingles vaccine:
- Zostavax® – given as 1 dose. This contains traces of porcine gelatine
- Shingrix® - given as 2 doses. This does not contain porcine gelatine.
Please ask your GP if you have a preference. Shingrix® will usually be given to people aged 65 years and those over 50 with weakened immune systems.
Find out about the shingles vaccine on the NHS website.
- Cancer screening
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Diagnosing cancer early can make all the difference.
Free cancer screening for certain types of cancer is available on the NHS for some people. For more information, view cancer screening on the NHS website.
You can also find out more information including FAQs from the NHS in North West London.
- Sexual health
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Sexual health is a key part of your physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Whether you’re in a relationship, don’t have a regular partner, or are not currently having sex, taking care of your sexual health is vital. Sexual health services in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) are free and available to everyone regardless of sex, gender, age, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.
You can call the national Sexual Health Helpline free on 0300 123 7123 Monday to Friday, 9 am to 8 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, from 11 am to 4 pm. Your call will be treated with sensitivity and in strict confidence.
Sexual Health London - online sexual health services
If you have mild symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Regular STI testing is crucial, regardless of whether you’re experiencing symptoms, in a relationship, have a regular partner, or are not currently having penetrative sex. Sexual Health London (SHL) is an online service that provides free and easy access to sexual health self-testing kits for those without symptoms.SHL lets you:
- register and order a self-testing kit online or in person
- test yourself in the privacy of your own home
- return your testing kit using Freepost
- receive results within four days
You must be a Kensington and Chelsea resident (or a resident of one of the participating London boroughs) and aged 16 and over.
Gonorrhoea vaccine
NHS England announced a gonorrhoea vaccination programme in England.The vaccine is being offered to mainly to gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) who are considered at the highest risk. People of other genders and sexualities may also be eligible if assessed to be at high risk.
Find out more in this guide to the MenB Vaccine for protection against Gonorrhoea. All our sexual health clinics will be offering the vaccine.
Find out more and book via the John Hunter and Kobler sexual health clinic.
Contraception
Sexual Health London (SHL) also offer free regular and emergency contraception to people over 16.
If you have symptoms, please either:
- Book online
- or contact our call centre on 020 3315 4040 (open: Monday to Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm)
The local sexual health clinic, John Hunter Clinic, is located at the St Stephen's Centre next to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy after having unprotected sex, or when the usual method of contraception is believed to have failed, for example, a split condom, or a missed pill.There are 2 types of emergency contraception:
- the emergency contraceptive pill - Levonelle or ellaOne (the "morning after" pill)
- the intrauterine device (IUD or coil)
Read more on the NHS website about emergency contraception and how you can access free emergency contraception at a sexual and reproductive health pharmacy, including the facts about emergency contraception, who can use them, side effects, and how they work.
You can also order routine and emergency contraception via SHL.
Condoms
The Freedoms Shop is available to all residents.It's dedicated to helping you have safer sex by stocking a huge range of high-quality condoms and lubricants, as well as testing and sampling kits.
Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (Implants and Coils)
You can get a free long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) — such as an injection, coil, or implant — by visiting a local sexual and reproductive health clinic or booking an appointment online.Book a free contraceptive injection, coil or implant (LARC) appointment at the John Hunter clinic:
- Book online
- or call 020 3315 4040
Sexual Health Support and Advice
SASH (Support and Advice on Sexual Health) provides counselling, care coordination, such as signposting to services, coaching to help you improve your sexual health and wellbeing, and peer support from someone who has shared similar experiences as you.HIV prevention and support
Do It London is a sexual health campaign and engagement initiative aimed at increasing HIV testing and promoting safer sex to all residents in the capital.The engagement team operates in gay clubs, bars, and other venues across London, providing free condoms and lube, as well as face-to-face sexual health promotion advice and information.
Treating HIV
What is PrEP? It is short for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It involves taking pills containing the drugs Tenofovir and Emtricitabine to protect you from catching HIV. The treatment needs to be started before sex. Taking PrEP before being exposed to HIV means there’s enough drug inside you to block HIV if it gets into your body.
You can book online for a face-to-face for PrEP appointments or call John Hunter Sexual Health Clinic on: 020 3315 4040.
What’s PEP? PEP is short for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. It reduces the chance of HIV infecting your body after you’ve been exposed to it. You take it AFTER sex, and it is recommended when the risk of catching HIV is over 1 in 1,000.
You can book online for a face-to-face for PEP appointments or call John Hunter Sexual Health Clinic on: 020 3315 4040.
If you need PEP or emergency contraception, please call 020 3315 4040 during the opening hours or, outside of these hours, please visit your nearest A&E.
Please note that PEP needs to be given as soon as possible after any potential risk and within 72 hours.
HIV care and support
Find out more about HIV and AIDS care and support on the NHS website.