Health event 'concern'
Julie Gilbert • Published 21 Sep 2011 10:00
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Concerns have been raised about a screening event, being held by a private healthcare company this week.
The company is offering to check people for their susceptibility to a range of serious problems, including strokes and heart conditions.
It being held by Life Line Screening in the Napier Hall, Old Kilpatrick, on Friday, and invites residents to have five different screenings at a cost of £150.
The company says that by the time the NHS screens for problems such as aneurysms, it can be too late.
But the UK National Screening Committee (NSC) says non-NHS screening can pose health risks.
Anne Mackie, director of programmes for the UK NSC, said: "NHS screening programmes cover the whole process, including any further treatment and care that may be needed.
"Where screening does not meet these internationally recognised criteria it can pose a significant risk to health, potentially leading to unnecessary anxiety, invasive testing and even unnecessary treatment without any overall health benefit".
Residents were informed about the event after a letter was sent through the mail. The letter also stated the Napier Hall was in Erskine.
However, Peter Blencowe, director of Life Line Screening, has defended his company.
He said: "The tests we offer are not normally available free of charge on the NHS unless you are already showing symptoms.
"Our view is that it is preferable that conditions are picked up early rather than waiting for a rupture to occur.
"We are registered with the national care quality commission and receive excellent customer feedback from our customers."
This article appeared in Clydebank Post 21 Sep 11
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