Lung scanner at the supermarket
NHS rolls out mobile screening unit in Nottingham to help detect early signs of disease
A state of the art mobile clinical scanning unit that can help detect signs of lung disease, is the latest tool to improve the health of people living in Nottingham.
The mobile CT scanner managed by InHealth Ltd, in collaboration with the NHS, arrived at the car par park of ASDA supermarket in Strelley in December and is expected to carry out hundreds of scans on local patients between now and February.
Patients registered with nine GP practices in Aspley and parts of Strelley were invited for a scan after an initial ‘Lung Health MOT’ check by respiratory nurses from the local community healthcare provider, Citycare.
The consultation is offered to people aged between 60 and 75 with a history of smoking.
In Aspley and Strelley between 30 and 40 per cent of the population are smokers – about twice the national average of 18 per cent. The number of people in Nottingham surviving lung cancer one-year after diagnosis is also below the England average.
Over 130 people have already had a Lung Health MOT at their local GP but many people have not responded to the invite.
Now local cancer specialists are urging people to book in at the GP for peace of mind or even potentially life-saving treatment.
Dr Safiy Karim – CCG Cancer Lead for Nottingham City, said: “Smoking is the number one cause of lung disease and the best health advice for any smoker is to give up as soon as possible. But people with a history of smoking are also more at risk of developing many forms of lung disease that can be treated more easily if caught early.”
Mobile cancer scanners have helped to boost early detection rates of lung cancer in a handful of places across the country, with Bulwell the first Nottingham location to host one of the scanning units in 2017.
Nearly two thirds (62%) of people who attended a CT scan last year were referred for further care. This was for a number of reasons including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), high blood pressure and asthma.
Health chiefs believe that locating the scanners near supermarkets makes them more convenient and lessens the dread for patients.
Dr Karim added: “It’s easy to ignore your health while you feel well but many illnesses do not show symptoms until they are more advanced. We also know that people are sometimes reluctant to visit hospital when they are invited for scan.
“That’s why we are inviting people for an initial health check and can offer an accurate test in the local community.”
The scanning unit and Lung Health MOT checks were funded by Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. Paula Chadwick, Chief Executive, said: “By placing a CT scanner in the heart of the community, more people will be able to attend their appointment. They do not have to worry about travel, particularly if they are in ill-health, or about the cost of getting there.”
The MOT clinics are being held at the following surgeries
- Melbourne Park Medical Centre
- Aspley Medical Centre
- Lime Tree Surgery
- Strelley Health Centre
- RHR Medical Centre
- Beechdale Surgery
- Bilborough Surgery
- Boulevard Medical Centre
- Grange Farm Medical Centre
Take a look at the recent BBC coverage here:
