What the Guidance Really Says About Annual Reviews
It exists to find the complications that develop silently, which is why it happens whether or not you feel well.
Key takeaways
- Diabetes: eyes, feet, kidneys, blood pressure, cholesterol, HbA1c
- Asthma: inhaler technique, control, action plan
- Most useful single change: Attend even when you feel well; that is the point of it.
- Commonest mistake: Skipping the parts that need a separate appointment, such as eye screening.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.
What it is
The scheduled check for a long-term condition. It sits within Long Term Conditions. The figures come from the bodies named at the foot of this page.
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Diabetes | eyes, feet, kidneys, blood pressure, cholesterol, HbA1c |
| Asthma | inhaler technique, control, action plan |
| Hypertension | blood pressure, bloods, cardiovascular risk |
| CKD | eGFR and urine ACR, not eGFR alone |
What helps
You do not have to do all of it, and you do not have to start today.
- Attend even when you feel well; that is the point of it
- Bring your medicines and any home readings
- Ask for the numbers and what they mean
What to avoid
These come up often, and several of them sound like good ideas.
- Skipping the parts that need a separate appointment, such as eye screening
- Leaving without knowing your key figures
Where to go next
- What People Get Wrong About Annual Reviews
- The First Steps With Annual Reviews
- Annual Reviews — the reference entry
- What the Guidance Really Says About Fatigue in Long-Term Illness
- What the Guidance Really Says About Mental Health and Long-Term Illness
When to speak to a doctor
Do not wait for an annual review if you have new symptoms. Seek same-day advice for any foot wound in diabetes, sudden vision change, chest pain, or increasing breathlessness.
Where this comes from
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarised or generalised beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to a GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 999.
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