The Government has announced that the NHS will roll out targeted lung screening across England. Currently, lung health checks are only available in some parts of England. They will be available everywhere by 2029.
The service is currently being offered to people living in Southwark, Greenwich, Lambeth and Lewisham who are between the ages of 55 to 74 and have ever smoked, as they are at greater risk of lung cancer.
If you're eligible, you'll get a letter from your GP or a local NHS service inviting you to an appointment.
You may be invited if all the following apply to you:
- you live in an area where lung health checks are currently offered
- you're aged between 55 and 74
- you're registered with a GP surgery
- you're a current or former smoker
If you think your GP records may not state you as being a current or former smoker, please speak with your practice to update them. This will ensure you are not missed for an invitation to a Lung Health Check.
Find out what happens at an NHS lung health check below.
What to do when you receive your invitation
If eligible, you will receive a letter in the post inviting you to book a lung health check appointment. Please call the booking team on 0330 236 8484 to arrange your appointment. It's important to have the reference number on your letter to hand, as you will be asked to provide this.
If the line is busy, please leave a message with your name and contact details and a member of the booking team will contact you within two days.
If you are unsure as to whether to book a lung health check, then please speak to the booking team about any concerns or questions you may have.
What to do if you don’t receive an invitation and believe you're eligible
If you are registered with one of the listed GP practices in Southwark, Greenwich, Lambeth and Lewisham, then you should have received an invitation.
The check will be offered to all eligible residents in south east London by 2029, so if your GP practice isn't currently listed don't worry, you will recieve a letter when the service is live at your practice. If you have any symptoms you are worried about, for example a persistent cough that you have had for three weeks or more, feeling breathless, or experiencing unexplained weight loss then you should make an appointment with your GP.
You’re not eligible but have concerns
If you have any symptoms you are worried about, for example a persistent cough that you have had for three weeks or more, feeling breathless, or experiencing unexplained weight loss then you should make an appointment with your GP.
For more information about lung health conditions and what to do if you have symptoms you're not sure about visit the NHS website for England.