Here are the answers to some common questions on lung health checks
The initial lung health check, taking place over the phone, with a nurse, will last between 30 and 45 minutes.
Do I have to come into hospital for my lung health check?
Only if you are invited for a CT scan, which will take place at Buckland Hospital, Dover.
The lung health check will be completed over the phone.
CT stands for computerised tomography. It is a special scan that uses x-rays and a computer to create details images of the inside of your body.
A CT scan is carried out by a specially trained clinician called a radiographer.
For the lung health checks, we use a low dose CT, which means that the exposure to radiation is very low, similar to about a year’s worth of radiation from the natural environment
People having a lung health check will be risk assessed against set criteria to identify whether or not they are at an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Only those people who are found to be at a higher risk of lung cancer will be offered a CT scan. This means that not everybody having lung health check will be offered a CT scan. We expect that around 66 percent of people having a lung health check will be invited for a CT scan.
Your CT scan appointment will last around 20 minutes.
The results will be sent to you and your GP within four weeks of your scan. If you have not received the results within six weeks of your scan, please contact the service using the numbers in the letters we have sent to you.
Lung health checks are only being offered to people who smoke or used to smoke. If you have any concerns about your breathing, please contact your GP practice.
If you are 75 or older, you will not be invited for a lung health check. This is because we can only invite people who will be younger than 75-years-old at the time of their first CT scan.
If you were younger than 75-years-old when you attended your first lung health check and you had a CT scan as part of your lung health check, you will be invited for any follow-up CT scans required, even if you are 75 or over when these follow-up scans are booked.
Yes, an interpreter can be arranged for you. When you book your lung health check, you will be asked whether you need one and the lung health check team will then arrange this for you.
Yes, you can either bring a friend, family member or carer with you to your appointment.
Yes, Buckland Hospital is wheelchair accessible. When you book your lung health check, you will be asked about your mobility so that we can make sure we can support you at your appointment.
This will be subject to an assessment by the patient transport booking service.
If you have been invited for a CT scan and you have symptoms of Covid-19, do not attend your appointment.
It is important to look out for anything that is unusual for you. If you notice any of the following, without Covid-19 symptoms. Please contact your GP practice 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
If you are unsure or do not want to attend because of concerns about Covid-19, then please contact the lung health check appointment team to discuss this.
We’re rolling out the lung health checks across a two-year period, starting with the older population. Please be patient whilst you wait for your invitation.
Yes, it is safe to attend your CT appointment. All of our staff will follow strict infection prevention and control measures to minimise any risks to patients. To help with this, please arrive at your appointment wearing a face covering. Equipment is being cleaned after each appointment and our waiting areas have space to allow for social distancing.
Please do not attend your CT appointment if you have any symptoms of Covid-19.
You will only be invited to a lung health check if you are registered with a GP in the south Kent coast area. We hope that the programme will be expanded to include more areas.
