Targeted Lung Health Check
What is a Lung Health Check?
A Lung Heath Check is a free MOT of the lungs, 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.
Lung checks are by invitation only. Our Targeted Lung Health Check Programme team will send out invites via letter.
Your free Targeted Lung Health Check
Watch our short, animated video to help find out more about what happens at your free Targeted Lung Health Check. It will help you understand what to expect at your lung check appointment and shows how quick and simple it is.
How do I get a lung check?
If you live in Barking and Dagenham, are aged 55-74 and are a smoker, or have previously been a smoker, we’ll send you a letter about an initial telephone appointment with the lung health check team.
Your letter will have the NHS logo on it and will be from the Targeted Lung Health Check team, sent on behalf of your GP.
Some people who have never smoked may also be sent the invitation letter. Please phone us on 020 3839 8911 if you receive this letter, and we can double-check whether a Targeted Lung Health Check appointment is right for you.
Booking your appointment
If a phone appointment time is on the letter that you receive, we’ll call you at this time to discuss whether a lung health check appointment is right for you. If it is, an appointment will be booked for you to meet with a nurse.
We’ll make every effort to call you at the scheduled time, and we usually manage to phone within 10 minutes of when we say, but please be aware that the time may vary slightly. If this is inconvenient, please phone us and we can reschedule. The number we call from may come up as an unknown number on your phone, or it may give the number we are calling from, which is 020 3839 8911.
If you need a bit more time during your appointment for interpreter assistance or you require extra time for explanations then please let the bookings team know as we are happy to provide a double appointment. Call us on 020 3839 8911 or email nel.lunghealthcheck@nhs.net
Need to change your appointment?
If the appointment time is inconvenient and you’d like to change it, please phone the freephone number (which will be on the letter), which is 020 3839 8911. You can call for free from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, or from 8am to 12 noon on Saturday. We may be able to assess you when you phone, or it may be that an alternative time for a phone discussion is arranged.
If you don’t want to proceed with a lung health check appointment, please phone 020 3839 8911 to discuss this in more detail.
If you need a bit more time during your appointment for interpreter assistance or you require extra time for explanations then please let the bookings team know as we are happy to provide a double appointment. Call us on 020 3839 8911 or email nel.lunghealthcheck@nhs.net
Your free Lung Check
If you live in Barking and Dagenham and are invited for a face-to-face appointment following your phone call, the location of this will be:
Barking Sporthouse and Gym
Mayesbrook Park
Lodge Avenue
Dagenham RM8 2JR
The appointment will take place in the dedicated InHealth lung check truck which will be in the car park. Appointments are available 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday and 8am to 4pm on Sundays.
Facilities at Barking and Dagenham
Accessibility
- Adapted for wheelchairs
- Disabled toilet
- Accessible parking
- Lift
Public Transport
- Upney tube station on the District Line is a 15-minute walk away
- Upney is one stop from Barking tube station going east, or four stops from Dagenham tube station going west
- Barking station is a 20-minute bus ride away via routes 368, 5 or E12
- Bus route 368 has the nearest bus stop, less than a five-minute walk away
Parking
- 100 total spaces available
- 4 disabled spaces available
- Parking type: free
Our location
Having trouble finding us in Barking and Dagenham? Download our guide on the right that will direct you to the mobile scanning unit that you'll need to attend in order to receive your free lung health check. Or click the link below to find us on google maps.
Key things about your lung check:
- You’ll be asked some questions about your breathing, overall lung health, lifestyle, and family and medical history.
- Your height and weight will be measured, and your blood pressure may be taken.
- Whether or not you’re offered a lung scan will depend on your chance of getting lung cancer now or in the future. We work out your risk from your lifestyle, medical and family history. The nurse will help you to decide if the test is right for you.
Your free lung scan
When you come in for your appointment, if you’re asked to have a scan, this will take place at the same location, in a mobile scanning unit similar to the one pictured here.
- The appointment will last about 30 minutes.
- Your actual scan takes less than a minute.
- You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and remove any metal objects, such as jewellery or belt buckles.
- The scan is safe as it’s a low-dose scan.
What happens next
- Results of your lung health check appointment will be sent to you and your GP within 2-4 weeks.
- If anything abnormal is found at the appointment, or on the scan, you’ll be contacted by a nurse to discuss the results and what the next steps in your management will be.
- If an appointment at the chest clinic is then needed, this will be arranged for you at King George Hospital, Ilford.
Where can I get support to stop smoking?
For advice on information on how to stop smoking, click here.
For local services in Barking and Dagenham, click here.
