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Lung Health Checks

Free NHS lung health checks

People who live in Bassetlaw aged from 55 to less than 75, who smoke or used to smoke and have a Bassetlaw GP will be offered a free NHS lung health check.

Run by specially-trained nurses, lung health checks aim to find out how well your lungs are working.

A lung health check can give you the reassurance that your lungs are healthy or can help find problems early – often before you notice anything is wrong. If lung conditions, or other problems with your breathing or lungs are found early, treatment could be simpler and more successful.

What is a Lung Health Check?

Lung health checks are completely free. Appointments are carried out over the telephone with a specialised nurse, lasting approximately 20–30 minutes.  The nurse will ask you some questions about your breathing and overall lung health. They will also ask you about your lifestyle, family and medical history. You do not need to do a breathing test; the nurse can get all the information they need from the questions.

As part of your Lung Health Check, you may be offered a low dose CT scan. This is to check for early signs of lung cancer as well as other lung diseases. You will have plenty of time to talk to the nurse and ask any questions you may have.

If you are invited to have a low-dose CT scan, this will take place in a mobile unit at in Bassetlaw. The CT scan only takes a few seconds to be done.

To read more Frequently Asked Questions visit out Lung Health Check FAQ page Bassetlaw Lung Health Checks – FAQs – Better In Bassetlaw

How to book your Lung Health Check

If eligible, you will receive a letter from Ashfield Engage inviting you to have a Lung Health Check. You will be called by a member of the Ashfield Engage team and asked several questions to confirm they have the correct details and that you are still eligible. If you are, an appointment will be booked for you to have a lung health check telephone consultation with a nurse.

Why is it important to look after your lungs?

Your lungs work hard every day so you can breathe and they don’t get much rest. They carry oxygen from the air into your blood and release carbon dioxide from your blood into the air. Your body’s cells need this oxygen to work properly. Your lungs have a natural defence system to keep out dirt and germs but several things can damage this, meaning they can’t do their job as well.

There are lots of things that you can do to look after your lungs, which are just as important if you already have a lung condition, including:

• being more active
• eating a balanced diet
• stopping smoking
• making sure you have all your vaccinations if you are over 65 years old or have a long term condition
• knowing the warning signs and symptoms of lung conditions including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) and lung cancer.

It’s also important to be able to spot when things might not quite be right. A persistent cough can be an early warning sign of lung disease. Other symptoms to look out for are feeling more breathless, wheezing, losing weight, coughing up blood or noticing chest pain. Don’t ignore or dismiss these symptoms; go and speak to your GP.

Targeted Lung Health Checks – FAQs

Why have I been contacted?

You have been sent a letter because your local practice has identified from your patient records that:

• You are aged 55 to under-75
• You live in Bassetlaw
• You are a current or former smoker or no smoking status has been recorded at all on your record

You do not have to participate in the Lung Health Check, but the aim of the programme is to detect lung disease, including lung cancer, early so that people can

What is a Lung Health Check?

A Lung Health Check is an MOT of your lungs and will check that they are working as they should be. The programme will identify poor lung health, offer early diagnosis and better survival rates for lung cancer and other lung conditions by providing quick, easily accessible screenings for those deemed at higher risk of lung conditions. We want as many people as possible to attend their Lung Health Check.

What are the benefits of the Lung Health Check?

• It is a new screening programme.
• It is local and easy to get to – your check takes place over the telephone and in a community setting close to your home
• You can talk through your questions with healthcare professionals
• There is no judgements on smoking and there is advice and assistance on how to quit smoking available if you would like it
• We may be able to identify any health concerns of your lungs much quicker than if you hadn’t attended a Lung Health Check meaning you will have more treatment options

How are Lung Health Checks carried out?

Lung Health Checks are carried out by nurses over the telephone. Should you then be identified as eligible for a low dose CT scan you will be invited to a mobile unit based at various places across Bassetlaw.

Does the mobile scanning unit have wheelchair access?

Yes there is wheelchair access on the vehicle for those who require it.

Do I have to get undressed if I need a CT Scan?

You may need to remove your coat but you can leave your clothing on.

Can I bring someone along with me to the appointment?

Due to limited space in the scanning unit please come for your appointment on your own and if you can, as near to your appointment time as possible to avoid queues. If you need someone with you, please limit it to one person. As space is limited any person accompanying you may be asked to wait outside until your appointment is complete. Please let us know if you have any additional needs at the time of booking the CT scan and we will do our best to accommodate you.

What happens after the Lung Health Check?

Should anything be identified either during the discussion with a nurse or during the CT scan, then dependent upon what this is, you will be contacted by telephone or letter with the next steps. If you have any worries about this you can speak to the nursing professionals in the booking team.

How can I tell the difference between symptoms of lung conditions and Covid-19?

We understand that some symptoms of lung conditions are like those of coronavirus. It is important to look out for anything that is unusual for you. If you notice any of the following, without coronavirus symptoms. Please contact your GP as soon as possible for:

• Unexplained persistent cough
• Unexplained persistent breathlessness
• Fatigue lasting four or more weeks
• Persistent or recurrent chest infection
• Unexplained weight loss
• Appetite loss

Why is Bassetlaw getting this service – what about the other areas?

The lung health check service has been running in Doncaster over the last year and will move to Bassetlaw over the summer before expanding to other areas in South Yorkshire in Autumn 2022. Bassetlaw has been selected as the next phase for the roll out of the service due to the smoking levels and lung cancer mortality rates.

It is intended that this programme will be available across the country in the future but we do not have any timeframe for its rollout at present.

I smoke and I’m just outside the age range – why can’t I have a Lung Health Check?

This is a targeted programme for people who are at the greatest risk of developing lung problems, including lung cancer at a future stage. As with most screening programmes for people who are asymptomatic (displaying no symptoms) the resources are targeted at the people most at risk. The people most at risk of developing lung problems are aged between 55 to under 75 who smoke or used to smoke and live within Bassetlaw.