Screening Programmes

Please scroll down for more information on each of the screening programmes.

Antenatal and Newborn Screening

Most of the screening services are carried out within maternity services.  Those that are carried out partly within the GP Practice are;

    • The NIPE examination of the baby at 6 – 8 weeks
    • A course of immunisation against Hepatitis B for the baby if the mother is found to have chronic or acute Hepatitis B during an ante-natal IDP screening blood test

The optimum timeline for the screening programme is here.  Your child’s vaccination programme will be linked in with the 6 – 8 week check.

For more information on Newborn and Antenatal Screening: Screening Tests for you and your Baby – GOV.uk

 

Diabetic Eye Screening

Diabetic Eye Screening is offered to people with diabetes from the age of 12.  If you are a new diabetic this will be offered to you at your first appointment with the Practice Nurse.

    • Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the most common causes of sight loss in people of working age
    • It may not cause symptoms until it is quite advances which is why screening is important
    • All people with Diabetes (Types 1 and 2) are at risk of getting diabetic retinopathy
    • Screening is an effective way of detecting the condition as early as possible

For more information on Diabetic Eye Screening: Diabetic Eye Screening Programme – GOV.uk

 

Cervical Screening

Women are invited shortly before they turn 25 and then routinely invited every 3 years until the age of 49 and then every 5 years from age 50 – 64.  After receiving your invitation for screening you can book an appointment with our Practice Nurse at Newton Drive Health Centre who can take your sample.  Your sample taker will be female.  If you have any concerns or questions before booking your screening appointment you can ask for an obligation free pre-smear appointment to discuss the procedure and answer any questions that you may have.

    • Cervical Screening saves around 4500 lives per year by offering healthy women a test to detect abnormalities in the cells of the cervix that could lead to cancer
    • Screening is carried out in primary care, at the practice, or at a community sexual health clinic
    • All screening samples in Lancashire are sent to Manchester Cytology Centre and the recall programme is provided by Primary Care Support Services
    • High risk HPV causes changes in the cells of the cervix creating abnormalities, which can develop into cancer.  HPV testing is now included in the cervical screening programme.

For more information on Cervical Screening: Cervical Screening Programme – GOV.uk

Breast Screening

The NHS Breast Screening Programme provides free breast screening every three years for all women aged 50-70 years old and over.  The programme is a rolling one which invites women from GP Practices in turn, not every woman receives an invitation as soon as she is 50. But they will receive their first invite before her 53rd birthday.

    • Breast Cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK.
    • Screening saves lives from Breast Cancer – lives are saved because cancers are diagnosed and treated earlier than they would have been without screening
    • Breast screening uses an X-Ray test called a Mammogram to the the breast for signs of cancer
    • The screening takes place on mobile screening units located in the local community

For more information on Breast Screening: Breast Screening Programme – GOV.uk

Bowel Cancer Screening

The Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) aims to detect polyps and bowel cancer at an early stage, where treatment is likely to be more effective.  Survival rates are much higher for those diagnosed through the screening route.  The programme is aimed at men and women aged 60 to 74 years of age who are invited to take part every 2 years.

If you have previously not responded to a screening invite you can self-refer by calling 0800 707 6060.

For more information on Bowel Cancer Screening: Bowel Cancer Screening – GOV.uk

AAA Screening (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm)

This screening programme is aimed at men aged 65 and over.  All men should receive an invite during the year they turn 65. If you are over 65 and have not previously been screened you can arrange an appointment directly by calling 0191 445 2554. The Screening involves an ultrasound that takes around 10 minutes.

For more information on on AAA: Abdominal-Aortic-Aneurism Programme – GOV.uk