Lung health checks Southwark

[Sue]

Not sure if this is strictly an ED issue, so please move if not.

After booking a free lung health check appointment, I had a letter saying a specialist nurse  would phone me yesterday at 4pm.

Nobody did, and the contact number just always goes to a recorded message, even bang on 9am when they supposedly open.

Is anyone else having similar problems? 

ETA: Just phoned my GP. They have had loads of patients with similar problems, but as it's nothing to do with them (obviously) they can't help or give me another contact number.

What a nonsense. I'm going to write to Helen Hayes.

 

Edited July 18, 2023 by Sue
Adding information

[Sue]

Just to say, I was phoned three times this morning in response to my messages, by three different people 🤣

Unfortunately I was walking down the road, didn't consult my calendar, and made a replacement appointment for the only date, and exact time, in August that I have a hospital appointment.

So now I've got to go through it all again to change the appointment 🤣😭

They were very apologetic about the lack of a phone call yesterday, but nobody seemed to know why it didn't happen, nor why other people have apparently experienced the same thing.

[sandyman]

Similar problems here - had a few calls - most times the line went dead when I answered, but one got as far as saying my name and then appeared to put the phone down. It feels as if they are an agency/call centre and are maybe being paid per call they make, not per appointment they make. 

[Pugwash]

Same  was supposed to have a call at 4 pm but nothing

[KalamityKel]

No problems for our household.

Good communication with the whole process from initial invitation, following call to book session(s), a letter(s) of confirmation, right through to very punctual and clear calls today.

Those spoken to couldnt have been more helpful.

 

[Froglander]

How do you get an appointment for a lung health check and where does it take place?

[KalamityKel]

1 hour ago, Froglander said:

How do you get an appointment for a lung health check and where does it take place?

If you make their selection, you'll be contacted by them. It's not a project you sign up to.  You're invited. 

[Sue]

3 hours ago, Froglander said:

How do you get an appointment for a lung health check and where does it take place?

It is a national NHS initiative for people in a certain age group who according to their medical records have smoked at some time in their lives.

You have an initial phone assessment and depending on the outcome of that may go on to have something similar to an MRI, which can detect very early signs of lung cancer, when it is more treatable.

 

 

On 18/07/2023 at 12:48, Sue said:

Just to say, I was phoned three times this morning in response to my messages, by three different people 🤣

Unfortunately I was walking down the road, didn't consult my calendar, and made a replacement appointment for the only date, and exact time, in August that I have a hospital appointment.

So now I've got to go through it all again to change the appointment 🤣😭

They were very apologetic about the lack of a phone call yesterday, but nobody seemed to know why it didn't happen, nor why other people have apparently experienced the same thing.

I have not been able to change the appointment because nobody has phoned back 🙄

[Nigello]

I read about this on a Southwark email but don’t know the process. I remember I matched the criteria. Please could someone provide a link or phone number. 

Edited July 20, 2023 by Nigello

[Sue]

The only phone number I have is 0208 1243125 (9-5 Monday to Friday).

The letter I got says 9-6 but the automated message says 9-5.

I doubt anyone will answer,you will have to leave a message. Good luck!

[Penguin68]

It is targeted at those who are identified as being, or having been, smokers, and who are now aged between 55 and 74. After confirming that you wish to participate (telephone interview) there appear to be 2 possible stages - first (universal) is a telephone triage with a nurse and second, for some, is a CT scan. The scan will be offered where the nurse triage indicates a continued risk of having developed lung cancer where early (and very treatable) signs of cancer can be identified. I suspect that the results of this exercise will form a study, and may also inform future triage question sets. 

One indicator of not proceeding is where you already have e.g. a CT scan scheduled (for any reason) to limit X-Ray exposure. I'm not sure, where this is so, whether they ask you to come back later.

[Sally Eva]

are all these non-happening checks related to Our Future  Health questionnaires? Mine was.

The question was something like "have you smoked and given up?." I had -- about 45 years ago. I was rung up by someone who established that I smoked for 3 years at Uni and this was long ago. She told me I would be rung by a nurse last Friday who would establish whether I needed an MRI. No one rang.

seems reasonable to me

[OutOfFocus]

A family member died of lung cancer without smoking. These health screening things have their limitations.

I have just had one for another part of body. 

Looks like another blood test. Asked me if i was Black which i am, not black which I'm not. I answered the latter question.

[frankiebhoy]

I had the  scan  this week old Kent rd waiting for results .

[Sue]

I had the assessment phone call today.

It was bang on time, the person was very friendly, I was told I was eligible for the CT scan, and I got an appointment next Wednesday 😮

So it just seems to be the first part of the process which is really inefficient, unless it has improved since I started the thread.

[Penguin68]

I can endorse that - the call was on time, the invitation for a scan the next week came through, the scan happened when scheduled (it takes, with questions, about half an hour all told, with a very little waiting).

Results are promised in 5 weeks (but that's in the future - can't confirm they arrive on time, and if they're sent by post to SE22 almost no chance!)

[lilolil]

I had the call yesterday which was on time. Lady I spoke to was very friendly. I'm classed as low risk so will not have the scan but am eligible for the lung function test. They'll send an appointment to have this done locally.

It was all very efficient!

[Sue]

I had the scan yesterday.

I went on the bus and found the location of the mobile units in the car park  a bit hard to find. I'm sure last time I went to an NHS thing in the Asda car park it was much easier. Maybe I got a different bus which stopped nearer the units, or maybe they were in a different place in the car park (I got a 63, but  the 78 also goes there, via a different route).

Arrived  to find a note flapping about on the locked door "back at 2pm" (I was early for a 2.15 appointment) so I went shopping  in Asda (found some things I'd been unable to get locally, and impressed with their prices,  so rather chuffed! I will investigate Asda deliveries!)

The steps up to the reception unit were alarmingly rickety. Given the age group involved I would have thought they could have provided something better than large notices telling you to be careful!

I presently have a leg problem and found getting up there a bit worrying. I dont know how people with worse mobility issues manage, particularly as the metal door remains closed and there is no way to attract anybody's attention. 

Once in I was seen immediately. You are taken  to a separate unit for the scan itself, which at least had a ramp up to it.

The scan was quick and easy, though I'd have appreciated some prior warning about a disembodied voice telling me when to hold my breath and when to breathe. I should have read the booklet again before I went!

I had to ask when and how I would get the results. I said hopefully not by post, or I might never get them! They said someone would phone, which seems a bit odd, and in 2 or 3 weeks (I think).

I stopped smoking around twenty years ago, so fingers crossed! Glad to be getting checked out though. I think it's an excellent initiative.