15 November 2013
Sheffield Central MP, Paul Blomfield visited the Sheffield City GP Medical Practice in the city centre today, to show his support for the NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening programme.
The MP’s visit happened to take place on the morning that the AAA screening team found an aneurysm on the aorta of a 65-year old Sheffield man. The man had come in for his scan earlier in the morning and was found to have a small aneurysm. The early detection of his condition means that the man will now be monitored to track the size of the aneurysm and ensure that if continues to grow, he receives the proper care and support.
An AAA is an enlarging of the main blood vessel in the body – the aorta - which if undetected can lead to a fatal rupture. AAAs mainly affect men aged 65+ and, as they are largely symptomless, the AAA screening programme intends to screen older men to identify aneurysms and save lives.
Mr Blomfield visited the centre to see the AAA screening programme in operation, as well as to talk to members of the AAA team and men at the clinic who had been screened earlier in the day. He also saw 67-year old Malcolm Buckley receive his scan - which showed that his abdominal aorta was normal. As a result, Mr Buckley was given the all clear and will not need any further AAA screening.
To get a full understanding of the AAA screening process, Paul Blomfield spent an hour at the centre, one of ten in Sheffield and 29 similar clinics across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw where the AAA screening is carried out.
He used the visit to urge all men aged 65 and over across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw to consider making appointments to attend at their local clinic.
Mr Blomfield said: “There has been increasing interest in AAAs across Sheffield in recent weeks so I was keen to come and see for myself what they are all about. Like many people, I didn’t know very much about the condition before, but I now know how serious they can be and how important this screening programme is.”
“All men in our area who are 65 and over should make an appointment for their scan as soon as possible – for peace of mind if nothing else. It is a quick and painless process that takes less than ten minutes, so there really is no excuse not to have it done.”
Helen McAlinney, AAA Screening Programme Coordinator for South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw added: “Showing Mr Blomfield how we carry out the AAA screening has allowed him to see first-hand how simple and effective the process is.
“While we have had well over 1500 men make self-referral appointments for this potentially life-saving scan since the launch earlier in July, it is important that all men in the 65+ target age group come in and be scanned.
“With ten clinics across Sheffield and 29 in total across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw, we have a clinic in a location that will be convenient for you.”
In England and Wales, an estimated 80,000 men aged between 65 and 74 are affected by AAAs, which are caused when the main blood vessel in the abdomen – the aorta – weakens and starts to expand. If undetected, the aorta can rupture – a medical emergency that is usually fatal. Around 6,000 people die every year from ruptured AAAs.
Doncaster & Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been commissioned to provide the NHS AAA Screening Programme across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw.
As part of the NHS AAA Screening Programme, around 8,500 men in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw will be invited for screening during the year they turn 65. Men who are already over 65 can also arrange an appointment by contacting the screening programme office directly.
Men over 65 who have not previously been screened can make an appointment by contacting the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw AAA Screening Programme on 01709 321189 or by emailing dbh-tr.dbhaaa@nhs.net.
For more information on AAAs, visit the national programme website at: aaa.screening.nhs.uk
