Rationale
Service users with serious mental health problems are at considerably higher risk of physical ill health than the general population. Health promotion advice is particularly important for service users with serious mental illness, although evidence suggests that they are less likely than other members of the general population to be offered blood pressure checks and cholesterol screening if they have concurrent coronary heart disease, for example.

Services should be provided that address diet, nutrition, exercise, alcohol consumption, drug misuse and sexual health in ways that are responsive to the needs of service users. This also includes access to smoking cessation clinics, free dental and optical examinations and flu vaccinations.

Examples of evidence required to meet standard 13:
- Blank assessment form (generic assessment with the inclusion of physical health factors or specific assessment re physical health)
- Examples of side effect tools used locally
- Local protocol on management of physical health
- Local protocol on sharing of information from physical health assessment detailing who is responsible for follow-up action
- Example of health promotion leaflets used