MEN in Darwen are being urged to attend for health checks in a new project after hundreds snubbed invitations to be assessed.

Darwen Healthcare has acted after only 32 per cent of 458 male patients invited for an appointment in the last year bothered to go.

Bosses said the checks are vital, as 17 per cent of the men who did attend were found to have a risk to their health.

The AHEAD project, which stands for Asthma, Health, Education And Diabetes, has been launched after nearly £5,000 in funding was won from the Queen's Nursing Institute charity.

Men aged 16 to 65 who have not gone for a health check or may not have attended their annual review if they have a long-term condition will be contacted.

Advanced nurse practitioner Debbie Yates, who presented a successful pitch for funding in London, said lack of male attendance was a big problem.

She said: "Men are much more reluctant to attend.

"They often don’t see their health as a priority and often see work commitments as much more important.

"Men also seem more fearful of needles and what might be picked up about their health.

"Our hopes are to increase uptake on NHS health checks and chronic disease reviews, which will hopefully improve men’s health outcomes, help to reduce hospital admissions and help to prevent heart disease.

"It will also help signpost men who are struggling with alcohol intake and mental health issues, reducing the stigma around mental health in men."

The project aims to achieve at least 60 per cent attendance for a health check and further increase reviews for men with asthma, diabetes, COPD or cardiovascular disease.

Darwen Healthcare aims to offer some early-evening and early-morning appointments for those who may struggle to get there in normal working hours.

Missed appointments will be followed up by phone calls, texts and emails to encourage attendance.

Visits to housebound male patients will be offered if required.