Residents across south Sefton, including Bootle, Seaforth, Crosby and Maghull are being invited to have a free lung check to make sure their lungs are working well.

Targeted lung health checks are a simple check-up to see how well your lungs are working. They are currently available to people aged 55-74, who have ever smoked and are registered to a GP practice in the region.

The programme began in December 2022 and is rolling out across areas in south Sefton in phases. Those eligible will receive a letter from the NHS inviting them to make an appointment.

Most people who attend a lung health check will receive a clean bill of health and those that do feel very reassured. One of the main aims of the lung health check however, is to diagnose lung cancer at the earliest opportunity.

Lung cancer is a major issue in the region, with the number of cases higher than the national average and the majority of people diagnosed at late stage, when curative treatment is no longer available.

Targeted lung health checks can significantly improve earlier diagnosis within the region and save many lives.

Gordon from Croxteth attended a similar programme in Liverpool and was diagnosed with early stage lung cancer despite having no symptoms. He has since had surgery to remove the tumour and is now fully recovered. He said, “I was never ill – not before my diagnosis, not during treatment and not now and that’s because they picked it up so early.

"We’re talking an hour out of your day. If you go and there’s nothing wrong, you haven’t lost anything but if there is something wrong, you’ve got to deal with it as quickly as possible. I truly believe it has saved my life.”

If you’ve received a letter for a lung health check, make sure you book your appointment as soon as possible.

For more information, visit: www.lhch.nhs.uk/lung-health-check/lung-health-check-south-sefton