Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB
The lung health check programme has successfully delivered lung health check appointments and scans to some of the most vulnerable people in the city.
The lung health check programme is travelling around Nottingham and Nottinghamshire delivering CT scans to eligible members of the public in a drive to improve earlier diagnosis of lung cancer.
In this recent initiative, and in collaboration with InHealth, local charities and healthcare organisations, the team adapted their service provision to make it easier for people experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage (SMD) to attend an appointment.
Severe and multiple disadvantage (SMD) refers to people facing two or more of the following issues; mental health issues, homelessness, offending and substance misuse. SMD can include other sources of disadvantage, for instance poor physical health, domestic/sexual abuse, community isolation, undiagnosed brain injuries, autism and learning disabilities.
This recent initiative saw the lung health check van set up in Smithy Row in the city centre to make it as easy as possible for this cohort to attend. Other changes made to the clinics included making them drop in, having longer appointments, and providing specialist support.
Katie Lee, Targeted Lung Health Check Project Manager at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said: “Nottingham has the eighth highest prevalence of SMD in England and we know that people experiencing SMD have poorer health outcomes than the general population.
“This has been a great example of services working together to deliver patient-centred care. We saw many people attend and this was only made possible by the support from key workers and partners. The feedback received was extremely positive with high service ratings and it was very positive to see some people attend who don’t usually engage with healthcare settings.
“A kind donation of sandwiches was also provided by Samworth Brothers, to hand out to those attending the clinic which we were extremely grateful for.”
The local NHS worked with Nottingham City Council to access the city centre location and local charities and outreach workers supported in sharing the message to the eligible cohort in the city centre, many of whom have been sleeping rough.
Feedback from patients described the service as “nice and welcoming” and “very straightforward”.
NHS lung health checks are being offered across Nottingham City in a drive to improve earlier diagnosis of lung cancer and save more lives. The checks are available for past and current smokers aged between 55 and 74.
Those invited will have an initial assessment with a specially trained health care professional. If the assessment finds the person to be at high risk, they will be offered a low dose CT scan of the lungs for further investigation. The scanner is housed in a mobile unit at convenient locations across the city.
Lung cancer can often be caught too late as there are rarely symptoms at the earlier stages. The programme is designed to check those most at risk of developing lung cancer to spot signs earlier, at the stage when it is much more treatable, ultimately saving lives.
If you have been invited for a lung health check it is not too late to attend. Please contact 0115 896 23600 to speak to an advisor.
For more information on the Targeted Lung Health Check programme please visit www.nottslunghealthcheck.nhs.uk
Our message remains the same – if you notice any new or unusual symptoms, such as an unexplained lump or unexplained blood that doesn’t come from an obvious injury (such as blood in your poo or pee), please do contact your GP and get it checked, the NHS is here for you. It maybe nothing serious, but finding cancer early makes it more treatable’.
END
