Hospital ward on wheels arrives in Leek to detect lung cancer
The diagnostic centre includes a multi-million pound CT scanner
A Staffordshire hospital's taken a near £2-million CT scanner on the road in an bid to get more people checked out for lung cancer.
The mobile unit, opened by University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) Lung Cancer Screening Programme, in partnership with TIC Health Group aims to increase accessibility and early detection of lung cancer among Leek residents.
The temporary unit was officially opened at the Cooperative Bank, Newton House on Cheadle Road on 10 June. And will bring life-saving screening services directly to the community.
The mobile unit is fully equipped with advanced imaging technology to deliver high-quality screenings in a calming, comfortable environment and will support the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme to target current and former smokers aged 55–74. Individuals identified as high risk following an initial assessment will be invited to receive a low-dose CT scan, enabling early detection and quicker access to treatment.
The mobile unit was officially opened by Jayne Wojak, whose husband died from lung cancer in 2016.
Jayne, soft services officer at The Cooperative Bank said: “Having the mobile unit here means absolutely everything to me and The Cooperative Bank as a whole. As a site we are always willing to help with services like this and give back to the community. I sadly lost my husband to lung cancer. Had it been detected earlier, perhaps the outcome might have been different. My advice to everyone out there is to not ignore. The mobile unit makes the screening much more accessible, it’s right at your doorstep, so come get checked.
”Christian Kleanthous, CEO of TIC Health said: “Lung Cancer is one of the worst types of cancer out there as it typically doesn’t present symptoms until it hits stage 3 or 4 at which point it’s either untreatable or the treatment is very severe. So, the Lung Cancer Screening Programme detects the cancer at stage 1 or 2 which otherwise wouldn’t have been picked up until a later stage, this means that patients are able to get treated with far less severe treatment and much higher survival rates.”
He added: “We provide these mobile imaging facilities to bring this opportunity closer to the community as possible.”
Screenings at the mobile unit will take place until early July 2025. The site offers free parking and wheelchair access to ensure it is welcoming and accessible to all. Leek residents aged 55 to 74 who are current or former smokers are strongly encouraged to attend their lung health check appointments.
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