MOST people with potentially life threatening mental illnesses in Southampton missed crucial health checks last year, data has shown.

Those with conditions like schizophrenia, psychosis or personality disorders are likely to die up to 20 years earlier than the general population, according to the NHS.

To combat this, the health service pledged to ensure 280,000 people a year would have comprehensive physical health checks by 2021.

But now Southampton City CCG data has shown that out of the 3,351 people eligible in Southampton, only 718 (21 per cent) had the potentially life-saving check-up last year, way below the 60 per cent target set by the NHS.

Even before the pandemic, 2019 figures show that only 26 per cent received checks and across England, 110,500 people, just over a fifth of those with severe mental illness, attended checks.

The NHS and mental health charity Mind have now urged people to attend, suggesting the pandemic has stressed the importance of ensuring those with mental health problems can get help.

Dr Hana Burgess, local GP and clinical lead for adult mental health at NHS Southampton City CCG said that currently some face-to-face services have been paused due to the pandemic, but claimed the CCG is making sure this group of patients receive vaccines “as soon as possible”.

She added: “NHS teams are doing this by reaching out directly to patients with severe mental health conditions and using that opportunity to also promote the full physical health checks.

“I would very much recommend that everyone eligible for a full physical health check takes up the opportunity when asked to do so.”

Stephen Buckley, head of information at Mind, said side effects of medication, underlying health conditions and social factors like housing, employment and financial inequality could impact on health.

He added: “The earlier you receive help for your mental and physical health, the more likely you are to benefit from treatment.”