Introduction

Lung health checks will take place over the telephone, but you may also be invited to see a Nurse and for a lung scan. These will be in convenient community locations, so they are local and easy to access. This Is not a self-referral programme and you will be invited for your lung health check by letter.

Most people will find their lungs are working fine. Some people may benefit from further tests or treatment either from their GP or hospital doctors. When it comes to lung health, spotting problems early can make a huge difference.

 

How does it work?

  • If you are aged 55-74 years, a current or former smoker and registered with a GP, you will receive an invite letter through the post in a yellow envelope from the NHS. This Is not a self-referral programme and you will be invited for your lung health check by letter.
  • A patient care advisor will call you within 14 days to complete your assessment over the telephone, which will take approximately 15 minutes.
  • During the telephone call you will be asked questions about your overall lung health, lifestyle, family, and medical history.
  • You may then be invited to have a lung CT scan. This checks for early signs of lung cancer.
  • Scans take place on mobile vans in community locations, so they are local and easy to access.
  • Your results will be sent to you by letter and if a follow up is needed the team will contact you to talk to you about what the next steps are. In the majority of cases, no further action is needed. The TLHC programme in Sussex is being supported by the Brighton & Hove GP Federation.
  • If your lungs are fine, you will be offered another health check in 2 years to see whether anything has changed.



Why is it important


  • Lung cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer in the UK and it is commonly diagnosed too late as there are often no symptoms at an early stage.
  • Lung health checks will help save lives by identifying lung cancer at an earlier stage, when it is much more treatable and there is a higher chance of survival.
  • If you are a current or former smoker you are at higher risk of lung conditions and by screening these issues, they can be treatable.
  • Attending a lung health check can help find issues early before symptoms occur. A 30 minute appointment could save your life.
  • Brighton and Hove, Crawley and Hastings & St. Leonard's have been selected in Sussex as they have the highest in the region lung cancer deaths as well as the highest smoking rates.


When we will contact you?

Crawley

If you are registered in Crawley, you may be contacted

Brighton & Hove

If you are registered in Brighton, you may be contacted

Hastings & St. Leonard's

If you are registered with the following GP Practices in Hastings & St. Leonards, you will be contacted

- High Glades Medical Centre

- Carisbrooke Surgery

- The Station Practice

Other practices to follow in the summer and autumn of 2024

This Is not a self-referral programme and you will be invited for your lung health check by letter throughout the year.

Smoking Cessation

If you are a current smoker, you will be offered the opportunity to be referred for smoking cessation advice.

Hastings & St Leonard’s

There are a number of ways to access stop smoking services including Community Pharmacy, One You East Sussex or your GP practice. The team will help you find the best route for you.


FAQs

1When will I be invited for my NHS Lung Health Check?
The lung health check in Sussex is a multi-year programme which will be gradually introduced in stages across our community. You will receive an invitation letter when your GP practice is invited. You can see the list of GP practices in the table above. This website will be updated regularly with when GP practice will be sending out your invitations. This Is not a self-referral programme and you will be invited for your lung health check by letter throughout the year.
2When will appointments be available?
Your appointment for your lung health check telephone assessment will be in your invitation letter. If you require a lung CT scan this will be booked during the call. Scans will be available 6 days per week, Monday to Saturday and between 8.00am - 8.00pm and Sunday 10.00am - 4.00pm to give a range of appointments.
3Is the information available in other languages?

Yes, please contact us and we can arrange for this to be sent to you. Translation and interpretation services can also be arranged for scan appointments, including British Sign Language.

4Is there support available for deaf people?

Yes, please let the bookings team know in advance, they can arrange for you to have a Nurse appointment instead of a telephone call and a British Sign Language interpreter is available.

Brighton & Hove and Hastings:  01273 099679; sussex.lunghealthcheck@nhs.net
Crawley: 01293 363732; cs.lunghealthcheck@nhs.net
5Is there support available for people with a learning disability?

Yes. Please contact the bookings team in advance and they can send the Easyread version of the information leaflet and letter. We will happily make extra time available with the Nurse and on the mobile unit to ensure people are not rushed and understand the process. We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments and allowances for example, carers attending, quiet times.

6Does the mobile unit have wheelchair access?
Yes. The locations that the Nurse appointments take place in are all DDA complaint and wheelchair accessible. There is also wheelchair access on the mobile unit for those who require it.
7Can I bring someone along with me to the appointment?
Please come for your appointment on your own and, if you can, as near to your appointment time as possible. 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 you are ready for collection.
8What happens after my NHS Lung Health Check?
You should receive the results of your lung health check within 4 weeks of your visit. Usually the team will write to you and your GP with the result.
9How can I tell the difference between symptoms of lung cancer and Covid-19?

We understand that some symptoms of lung cancer 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:

  • Unexplained persistent cough for three weeks or more
  • Unexplained persistent breathlessness
  • Fatigue lasting four or more weeks
  • Persistent or recurrent chest infection
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Appetite loss
10Are there any other places I can read information about lung health checks?
Please take a look at the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation pages on lung health checks.

Participant and Clinician Stories

Crawley resident Peter explains what happens at a Targeted Lung Health Check and says it is a “win win” – either lung cancer is diagnosed early and it can be treated or you find out that your lungs are okay

Crawley resident Cora, whose mum died from lung cancer, says the Targeted Lung Health Checks are a brilliant idea and explains that having the scan is very quick.

Brighton resident Lisa was a heavy smoker for 40 years and says she felt it was important to come along for the lung health check.

Fred, from Brighton, explains he went along for his Targeted Lung Health Check after receiving the invite because he used to be a smoker. He says the health check takes just 10 minutes and the team are really friendly - so "come along" if you get the invite.

Sue Quirin, lung cancer nurse specialist at East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, was at the launch of the Targeted Lung Health Check in Crawley, West Sussex and says it will enable lung cancer to be identified much earlier.

Dr Mandeep Singh Ahluwalia, clinical director for NHS Sussex, says if you live in Crawley and have received an invite to the Targeted Lung Health Check, please take part as it could save your life.

Dr Kofi Nimako, lung specialist at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, urges residents to take up their Targeted Lung Health Check invite and explains how the lung health check works and what to expect.

Dr Rowan Brown, local GP and West Hove Primary Care Network clinical director, urges people to take up their Targeted Lung Health Check invite and says you won't be judged if you are currently a smoker.

Jenny Messenger, lung specialist at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, says the earlier lung cancer is diagnosed the more chances there are of curing it.

The mayor of Crawley, West Sussex welcomes the NHS Lung Screening Programme to Crawley.

This video explains what to expect once you receive a Targeted Lung Health Check invite..