Agenda item

Members received a presentation from Hannah Young at Cancer Alliance, which provided an overview of the targetted lung health checks.

South Yorkshire had been chosen as one of ten pilot counties across the country to participate in the new lung screening programme, due to the high levels of deprivation and smoking rates in the area.  The aim of the programme was to identify lung cancer as early as possible.  The programme was aimed at individuals aged 55 – 74 years old who had ever smoked.  Individuals would be invited to participate in the programme via letter had have a short telephone appointment to confirm eligibility.

Councillor A Cave had been contacted by local residents who queried why they had not been called to participate in the programme even though they met the criteria.  She had advised them to contact their respective General Practitioners (GP).  It had been raised to her attention that the receptionists at the GP Surgery on Huddersfield Road, Barnsley had been unaware of the programme.

H Young commented that work was underway to promote the programme as much as possible, which was currently being ran through Rotherham and Barnsley, and would be launched in Penistone in February 2024.  The GP groups had been assigned rag ratings on a needs basis.  She would visit all the GPs in the areas to be launched and leave her contact details, and she would ascertain the position with the GP Surgery on Huddersfield Road, Barnsley.

Councillor Howard commented that information regarding the eligibility for the programme was displayed at the GP Surgery on Park Road, Barnsley.

The outcomes of the programme that was ran in Doncaster on approximately 30,000 individuals as at 30 September 2023 were noted as follows:-

·                A total of 222 cancers had been detected consisting of 169 lung cancers and 53 other cancers.

·                76% of lung cancers had been found at an early stage.

·                74% of patients had been suitable for curative treatment.

Following a query raised by Councillor Lofts regarding the methods which had detected the 53 other cancers, H Young commented that CT scans on the chest area were undertaken to focus on the lungs.  In the event that the CT scans identified other areas for concern, referrals would be made to the relevant departments.

Members noted that at present it was not intended to roll out the programme to non-smokers.  Individuals were encouraged to contact their GP’s if they had any health issues.

Councillor Howard requested R Adams to provide H Young with the details of the Darton Afternoon Club.

Councillor Tattersall declared an interest, as part of her Mayoral duties in 2022 - 2023 had included a visit to Wath where she had observed a full demonstration of the lung screening programme.  She was a member of the Smoke and Tobacco Board, and she requested R Adams to provide H Young with the contact details to enable the results of the programme to be provided in a PowerPoint presentation to the Smoke Free Group regarding how the programme could be linked into the work with the Stop Smoking Service.

H Young requested Members to endorse the programme and to encourage individuals that were eligible to go for a scan as part of the lung screening programme.

Councillor Leech expressed his thanks for an informative presentation.

RESOLVED that Members noted the update.