People will be empowered to make better, more informed choices
about their health with access to heart and lung MOT-style
checks, First Minister has announced.
Fulfilling one of the commitments made for the Scottish
Government's first 100 days, the Healthy Heart and Lung Checks
are part of wider action to identify those most at risk of
cardiovascular and respiratory disease, helping to prevent
illness and support earlier intervention where needed.
Delivered by Chest Heart and Stroke (CHSS) and supported by local
NHS services, the scheme will see people take part in a range of
health tests, including blood pressure and BMI measurements,
heart rate, cholesterol and pulse checks and a lifestyle
assessment. People will receive advice and support based on their
individual needs, allowing them to take control of their heart
and lung health in a way that is relevant, achievable, and
sustainable.
Initially available to people in Tayside, Glasgow and
Grampian, the Scottish Government and CHSS will work together
over five years to develop and extend the model. The programme
will prioritise people and communities that are more likely to
experience poorer health outcomes and less likely to access
traditional health services, helping to reduce health
inequalities and improve early diagnosis.
The First Minister will visit the CHSS Health Defence Hub in
Dundee to mark the beginning of the strategic partnership today
(Thursday 20 August). He said:
We know illnesses related to heart and lung issues affect too
many families in Scotland. As our population ages and our
healthcare system faces growing pressure, proactive measures to
keep people healthier are more important than ever.
These Healthy Heart and Lung Checks will not only help identify
people at risk of cardiovascular and respiratory conditions at an
earlier stage but will also empower people to make better, more
informed decisions about their health in a way which works for
them.
They will also help reach people who might not otherwise come
forward, particularly in more disadvantaged communities where the
burden of ill health is greatest.
Alongside existing interventions, our new GP walk-in clinics, and
additional investment in planned care, my government is
delivering a strengthened NHS by reducing pressure on acute
services and enabling people to get the care they need, when and
where they need it.
Chief Executive from CHSS Jane-Claire Judson said:
Around one in five people in Scotland are living with a chest,
heart or stroke condition, and we know that too many
opportunities to prevent serious illness are missed because risks
are identified too late.
"Our CHSS Health Defence Hubs are designed to take prevention
directly into communities, helping people understand their
health, identify risks earlier and access the support they need
before life-changing conditions develop or worsen.
"We know that people experiencing the greatest barriers to good
health are often the least likely to access traditional services.
That is why this five-year partnership, with indicative
funding of £3 million investment, will focus on reaching
communities that experience poorer health outcomes, helping to
tackle health inequalities that continue to affect too many
people across Scotland.
"By working in partnership with the Scottish Government, the NHS
and local communities over the next five years, we have an
opportunity to prevent avoidable illness, improve health and give
more people a fairer chance of living longer, healthier lives.
Together, we can help create the conditions for a healthier
Scotland, now and for the future.
Background
Further information on Healthy Heart and Lung Checks can be found
on Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland's website.
The programme will be delivered through a new five-year strategic
partnership and Scottish Government investment with Chest Heart
& Stroke Scotland (CHSS) and supported by local NHS services,
building on the charity's existing Health Defence Hub model.
Healthy Heart and Lung Checks will complement existing services
funded by the Scottish Government such as the Cardiovascular disease
prevention scheme, which enables GPs to target patients who
are most at risk, with a particular focus on communities
experiencing higher levels of deprivation.
A fourth location offering checks will open in Ayrshire and Arran
next year, supporting ongoing work to detect and treat people at
risk of cardiovascular disease across the country.
As we develop this partnership with CHSS we will explore how we
can build on this offer and involve other local partners and NHS
services. The Scottish Government will continue to
evaluate and learn from the programme, working closely with
our partners to explore and develop further approaches to
preventing cardiovascular and respiratory disease across
Scotland.
Latest population data relating to heart or lung conditions can
be found in the 2024 Scottish Health Survey.
Chest Heart & Stroke
Scotland (CHSS) are Scotland's largest health charity
supporting people living with chest, heart and stroke conditions,
as well as Long Covid. CHSS provides rehabilitation,
self-management support, advocacy, information services and
policy influencing. It estimates that one in five people in
Scotland live with one of the conditions it represents.
