The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust is proud to announce the official launch of the Targeted Lung Health Check (TLHC) Programme in Dudley. The event took place on Monday, 14th October 2024, at Morrisons in Kingswinford, where the programme’s mobile lung scanning unit is located.
The TLHC programme is a major public health initiative aimed at detecting lung cancer early in individuals at high risk, particularly those between the ages of 55 and 74 who have a history of smoking. Eligible patients will receive an invitation to undergo a free lung health check, beginning with an initial telephone assessment, followed by a CT scan if necessary. This initiative is being rolled out in phases
across Dudley, starting in Kingswinford.
To mark the occasion, an official cake cutting ceremony was held. Diane Wake, chief executive of The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, opened the event and said: “We are thrilled to officially launch the Targeted Lung Health Check Programme in Dudley. This initiative will bring vital lung health checks to the heart of our community, making it easier for people to access care and enabling us to detect lung cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage.”
Dr. Asif Azam, consultant respiratory physician and responsible clinician for the TLHC programme, emphasised the early success of the initiative: “The programme is already showing positive results, with several patients benefiting from early detection and intervention. By bringing lung health checks closer to the community, we’re able to help more people, earlier. This programme is a gamechanger for lung cancer detection in Dudley.”
The mobile unit, conveniently located at Morrisons, Kingswinford, provides patients with easy access to high-quality care in familiar surroundings like supermarket car parks and community centres.
The TLHC programme is designed to help detect lung problems before symptoms become noticeable, offering a chance for early intervention. Patients at high risk will be contacted directly and invited to participate.
The phased rollout will continue over the coming months, eventually expanding across Dudley.
For more information about the programme, visit www.dgft.nhs.uk.
