DOCTORS and administrators in Thurrock have bemoaned the lack of take-up of a potentially life-saving health project rolled out in the borough.

As reported on Nub News last year, the programme for Targeted Lung Health Checks for Thurrock started to be rolled out in December. The checks are described as 'an MOT for your lungs'.

Though Covid-19 brought about the suspension of the programme, it has returned but is not making the anticipated impact that it was hoped to have.

Thurrock Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is now hoping to increase participation in the scheme with a renewed publicity campaign to support wider awareness of the need for people to come forward for a lung health check.

The CCG is working in tandem with Luton CCG as part of 14 Cancer Alliance areas across the UK to roll out the targeted lung health check programme.

Thurrock has one of the highest rates of death from lung cancer in the UK and some of the highest rates of smoking with more than ten per cent 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 Manjeet Sharma, GP at Orsett Surgery is supporting the programme, and says: "We were able to start this programme in 2020, but we have not had the take up we expected.

"The programme involves patients who are 55 – 75 and smoke or have ever smoked, being invited to an initial remote lung health check, completed by qualified respiratory nurses. Those patients found to have a high-risk score following that check will be invited to take up the low dose 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."

A patient who has gone through the programme, Alan Hudson, said: "I have been through the whole process from receiving my letter, to having my check, then a CT Scan. They found something on my scan, and very quickly I've been referred in for further investigations and something has been found and treatment has started.

"I would never have known I had a problem, so it really proves how effective this is. If you've been invited, don't ignore it, come forward it might just save your life!"

Existing and former smokers aged between 55 and under 75 across Thurrock will be invited in a phased way, to have a free lung health check with a lung specialist at a convenient location close to where they live. If required, they can have a low dose CT scan on the spot.

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 programme will last for four years. To find out more click this link.

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