NHS England’s Post

‘A trip to the bingo basically saved my life.’ When Paul went for a lung health check at a mobile scanning van at his local bingo hall, clinicians from Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust found an abdominal aortic aneurysm – a swelling in the artery that carries blood from the heart to the tummy. ‘I was shocked as I was in no pain, but in hindsight, the only symptom I had was a pulsing feeling in my stomach.’ Two weeks later, he was admitted to Heartlands Hospital where he underwent a five-hour life-saving operation. Now, Paul is recovering well and was discharged in time for his child’s 21st birthday. He urges everyone, ‘If you’ve had an invite from your GP, then go. Sandwell’s lung health check saved my life, and it could save yours too.’ The 10 Year Health Plan aims to bring NHS services closer to communities and detect illnesses earlier. A key initiative is the Lung Cancer Screening Programme, with mobile scanning units in accessible locations like supermarket car parks. These lung health checks focus on current and past smokers. As part of the plan, the programme will be expanded nationwide to ensure everyone with a history of smoking has access to early screening and diagnosis. Find out more about how the 10 Year Health Plan is expanding services like this, to make an NHS that is fit for the future. https://lnkd.in/eR2id69U #WorldLungCancerDay