Banbury residents to be invited for lung health checks

Lung checks are now available to people in Banbury as part of an NHS scheme which aims to improve earlier diagnosis of lung conditions, and save more lives.

The Targeted Lung Health Check Programme gives current and past smokers the chance of having lung conditions detected and treated earlier.

Scans are now underway at the Horton General Hospital, part of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH), with plans for mobile units in community settings in the future.

People who are current or past smokers will initially receive an invitation to take part in a lung health check questionnaire, and depending on the results will receive follow-up checks.

The checks take place in two stages – the first is an initial phone assessment with a specially-trained health care professional.  If the assessment finds the person to be in need of further tests, they will be offered a low dose CT scan of their lungs for further investigation, with any treatment needed then put in place.

Sara Randall, Chief Operating Officer at OUH, said: "Early diagnosis is a key part of treating lung conditions, and this programme is designed to check those most at risk of developing lung illnesses earlier, when they're much more treatable and outcomes are better.

"We're urging anyone who is contacted by the service to take part in the assessment – it doesn't take long, and any subsequent checks are quick and painless."

For more information on the Targeted Lung Health Check programme please visit www.ouh.nhs.uk/tlhc