Expand lung screening programme, Labour tells Government

Scottish Labour has urged ministers to expand a lung screening programme across the country.

The Scottish Government has backed a pilot programme by Edinburgh University conducting screenings in four health board areas, which will inform how a nationwide screening initiative would work.

But Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie has urged ministers to move faster.

The UK National Screening Committee recommended each of the four nations provide screening to those between 55 and 74 with a history of smoking, but so far only England has begun to roll it out.

Cancer Research UK said last year that an equivalent programme in Scotland could save 2,300 lives with the early diagnosis of lung cancer – the most common form of cancer in the country – even if only 50% of those eligible take up the screening.

“As cancer campaigners and medical experts alike have made clear, screening saves lives,” Ms Baillie said.

“While Scottish Labour welcomes this pilot scheme, the Scottish Government must swiftly follow it up with a comprehensive screening programme that reaches those at the highest risk of the disease.

“The UK Labour Budget delivered a record settlement including an additional £789m for our NHS this year and £1.72bn for next year, but it’s up to this SNP Government to make sure the money is spent wisely.

“Labour is committed to screening programmes that allow quicker diagnosis to save lives – cancer patients cannot wait.”

The party has also pushed the Government to develop a respiratory audit programme to centralise data on respiratory health, but public health minister Jenni Minto has said – in a written answer to a question from Ms Baillie – that “the extremely challenging fiscal position the Scottish Government is facing” has delayed such a move until next year.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Scotland’s screening programmes are vital to identifying illness and disease at an early stage, helping to ensure people can get treatment as soon as possible.

“The Scottish Government provided funding for the LungScot research study which piloted targeted lung screening in select areas across Scotland.

“We have also welcomed the recommendation from the UK National Screening Committee to implement targeted lung screening for people between 55-74 with a history of smoking.”