NHS Lung Health Checks
Conexus Healthcare is supporting the delivery of free NHS Lung Health Checks for people in Wakefield.
A lung health check, part of the Lung Cancer Screening Programme, is designed to help find any issues early (often before you notice anything wrong). Make sure you attend your appointment when you’re invited.
The programme is delivered by our service, GP Care Wakefield, working closely with local GP practices and Mid Yorkshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. It is commissioned by the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance and forms part of the national NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme.
The aim is to find lung cancer earlier, and at a stage when treatment could be simpler and more successful – ultimately saving more lives. Most lung cancers grow slowly enough for them to be found at an early stage by a lung scan.
A Lung Health Check is a free, confidential health appointment carried out over the phone by trained healthcare professionals working for GP Care Wakefield.
The call usually lasts around 20 minutes and gives you the chance to talk about your lung health and to determine if your lungs should be scanned by a CT scanner. Not everyone will need a lung scan. This will depend on your results from the initial assessment. Throughout the process you will have plenty of time to chat to the health professionals and ask any questions.
The scan:
You may be invited for a Lung Health Check if you:
Lung cancer is often easier to treat when it is found early, before symptoms appear.
Lung Health Checks aim to:
Most people who have a Lung Health Check will not need any further tests.
No. Taking part is entirely your choice.
If you are eligible, you may receive:
You can watch the explainer video based on the story of Pat who received a text inviting her for a Lung Health Check.
We have also produced a range of information for our GP Practices, partners and patients. You can read these below or print off and use to promote the service and inform yourself, patients and their carers. Click on each item in the list to open.
If you receive an invitation and have questions, need to change your appointment, or need support such as an interpreter, the Lung Health Check team is here to help:
You may be invited if you are aged 55 to 74, registered with a Wakefield GP practice, and smoke or have ever smoked, even if you stopped many years ago.
You’ll have a free, confidential phone conversation with a trained healthcare professional, lasting around 20 minutes, about your lung health. This helps decide whether you need a lung scan.
No. Not everyone who has a Lung Health Check needs a scan. Whether you’re offered one depends on your results from the initial phone conversation.
No. Taking part is entirely your choice, and choosing not to take part will not affect your GP care or any other NHS services.
If you currently smoke, you’ll be offered free, confidential NHS stop-smoking support as part of your Lung Health Check. This is optional and available even if you don’t need a scan.
If you’re eligible, you may receive a letter or text message. Invitations are sent out in batches, so don’t worry if someone you know is invited before you.
Call the Lung Health Check team on 01924 677 037 or email wyicb-wak.gpcwhealthpromotion@nhs.net. They can also help arrange support such as an interpreter.