The long-awaited Targeted Lung Health Checks for Luton have begun with the first CT scanner mobile units arriving on 8 February in the car park of Sainsbury’s, Dunstable Road, Luton. The mobile units, provided by Cobalt Health Medical Charity in partnership with Siemens Healthineers, enable COVID safe CT Scanning to patients at risk of lung cancers.
Luton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has been twinned with Thurrock CCG as part of 14 Cancer Alliance areas across the UK to roll out a Targeted Lung Health Check programme.
Luton has one of the highest rates of death from lung cancer in the UK and some of the highest rates of smoking with over 14% of the local population labelled as smokers. The programme is one of the first to be rolled out as part the NHS Long Term Plan.
Dr James Ramsey, Clinical Director for the Lung Health checks programme in Luton said:
“This is an exciting realisation of lots of work to bring these CT scanners to Luton. They will begin for two weeks from 8 February, then return every two weeks. The programme involves specific patients being invited to an initial remote lung health check, completed by qualified nurses from Lung Health Check team. Those patients found to have a high-risk score following that check will be invited to take up the CT scan.
“Patients should be assured that the whole process has been made COVID secure and the brand new facilities will provide first class care.”
Dr Talib Abubaker, GP Partner, Bell House Surgery and Clinical Lead for Luton for the Lung Health checks programme in Luton said:
“Luton is really lucky to be one of the areas to be selected for NHS England’s lung health check programme. We expect about 3,400 people across the country could have their lung cancer diagnosed earlier through this initiative. In Luton alone, the programme will allow hundreds of people to receive potentially life-saving treatment for conditions much earlier than they would have before. We’re here to help the people of Luton understand the huge
benefits of this initiative, so they seize this golden opportunity with both hands. I would urge anyone who receives an invitation to attend a Lung Health check to please do so.”
Existing and former smokers aged between 55 and under 75 across Luton will be invited in a phased way, to have a free lung health check with a lung specialist.
Only those meeting the criteria will be invited to take part in the programme. Stop Smoking services are always available and ready to support you in leading a healthier lifestyle and giving up smoking.
The first invites went out in January 2021 and we expect the programme will last for four years. To find out more visit: www.lutonandthurrocklunghealthcheck.nhs.uk
ENDS For more information please contact bedsccg.communications@nhs.net
About the Targeted Lung Health Checks
NHS England announced the £70m funding pot over four years for the 10 programme areas. Luton and Thurrock will split £7m between them to offer this opportunity to residents. More information about the announcement is here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2019/02/lung-trucks/
Targeted Lung Health Checks are only for a specific cohort of patients and follow the Nelson Study, which includes people aged between 55 and 74 +364 days who have ever smoked. More about the NELSON study here: https://www.ascopost.com/issues/october-25-2018/nelson-trial/