Free lung checks now offered to Havering residents

The national NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme has launched in Havering for the first time for over 14,000 local residents.

This free NHS initiative offers lung scans to people aged 55-74 who have ever smoked. So far, the programme has successfully been rolled out in Barking and Dagenham, Tower Hamlets and Newham.

Uptake across these boroughs has been one of the highest in the country, with 95% of patients in north east London rating their lung health check experience as either ‘very good’ or ‘good’. Over time, the Targeted Lung Health Check Programme will be extended to cover all boroughs in north east London.

Over 14,000 residents in Havering who are aged 55-74 and have ever smoked will receive an NHS invitation letter over the coming weeks and months from the programme team. This will ask them initially to have a telephone appointment and then, if appropriate, a follow up nurse appointment and low-dose CT scan.

The CT scan takes place in a state-of-the-art, modern and spacious scanning truck, which is located in the car park of Tesco Extra, Rainham. The scan takes less than a minute and provides a check of your lungs.

A launch event took place on Monday 25 November and was attended by healthcare professionals and local councillors, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Havering.

Dr Stephanie Uys, Clinical Lead for the Targeted Lung Health Check Programme in north east London, says “We have so far provided over 10,000 local residents with life-saving scans and we encourage Havering residents to have a scan when they are invited to.

“Most of the time nothing is found, but if there are any problems with your lungs, such as cancer, finding out early can make treatment simpler and more successful.”

What is a lung check?

A Lung Heath Check is offered free to people aged 55-74 who have ever smoked, as part of the national NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme. It finds out how well your lungs are working and aims to rule out any serious conditions. Often, early problems with the lungs do not cause any symptoms, so it is important to attend even if you are fit and healthy.

Most of the time nothing is found, but if there are any problems with how your lungs are working, such as cancer, finding out early can make treatment simpler and more successful.

A Lung Health Check also aims to promote healthier lifestyles with advice about stopping smoking.

How do I get a lung check?

If you're eligible, you'll receive an invitation letter over the coming weeks and months from the programme team inviting you to an appointment. There are three parts to a lung health check:

1.    Telephone appointment: a chat to assess if a lung check is right for you

2.    If appropriate, a face-to-face appointment: to talk in more detail about your health and decide if a scan is right for you

3.    If recommended, a quick, low dose CT lung scan: if a scan is right for you, you will have this at the same time and location as your face-to-face appointment.

More information

Find out more on our webpage or watch our animated video.