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Press Release –20 August2012

65-2012

Read all about it – local media help drive men’s screening success in Herefordshire

A story in Herefordshire’s local media has given a county pensioner peace of mind after a potentially life-saving screening session gave him a clean bill of health.

69-year-old Jimmy Morrison is one of a number of men in Herefordshire coming forward for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening following a successful men’s health campaign covered in the county’s local press, which has seen the number of those attending the screening rise sharply.

In June this year, Wye Valley NHS Trust and Worcester Acute Hospital NHS Trust urged men over 65 to take up the free AAA screening, as one in four men invited for screenings failed to turn up for these life-saving appointments.

Since the publicity through the local media given during men’s health week, there has been a massive increase in the number of self-referrals for AAA screening in Herefordshire - from around five to more than 40 per week.

AAA is caused when the main blood vessel in the abdomen (the aorta) weakens and starts to expand. The condition is most common in men aged 65 and over. About 6000 people, most of them men aged 65 and over, die every year in England and Wales from ruptured AAA. AAA screening is a simple ultrasound test that takes 10 minutes.

After undergoing his screening, Jimmy Morrison said: “After reading the AAA screening article in the local paper I phoned up straight away to book an appointment. Members of my family have had an abdominal aortic aneurysm so it had always been a concern that it could happen to me. I was seen within a few days and the screening itself was nothing to be worried about and fortunately I was given a clean bill of health. I would advise any men aged over 65 to attend the screening as this quick, easy and painless test could save your life”.

Men who have an abdominal aortic aneurysm do not generally notice any symptoms, so screening is important. The test is simple, quick and non-invasive, with results immediately available.

Cathy Schorah lead for the AAA screening team, set up by Wye Valley NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospital Trust, said: “We’re really pleased to see this increase in AAA screening across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Men are often reluctant to come forward if they have health concerns, so it’s encouraging to see this response following the men’s health week campaign. By raising awareness making screening more accessible we hope to reduce the number of AAA related deaths by 50 per cent.”

Men in Herefordshire and Worcestershire are invited for screening during the year they turn 65. Men over 65 who have not previously been screened can arrange an appointment by contacting the screening programme on 01905 733830. For more information on AAA screening, visit aaa.screening.nhs.uk

Photograph

Left to right – patient Jimmy Morrison and AAA screening staff Kerry Evans

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Notes to editor:

The NHS AAA Screening Programme first started in Herefordshire and Worcestershire in May 2011, and the increased awareness follows the success of a national appeal during men’s health week in June 2012.

The NHS Screening Programme aims to reduce the number of AAA-related deaths by up to 50 per cent through early detection, appropriate monitoring and treatment.

  • Wye Valley NHS Trust is the first integrated provider of acute, community and adult social care in England.
  • The key principles of the organisation are to improve the health and well being of the people we serve in Herefordshire and the surrounding areas.
  • With an estimated annual turnover of around £160million, we employ around 3000 plus staff. As the first integrated provider of acute, community and social care in England, we aim to build new relationships between our staff, patients, service users and their carers, and with the wider community.

For further information please contact:
John Burnett, Communications and Engagement Manager, Wye Valley NHS Trust: 01432 355444 ext. 2928 or Fiona Gurney, Communications Assistant 01432 355444 ext. 5105

A provider of health and social care