A CHARITY has criticised the Scottish Government over the new MOT-style checks for hearts and lungs.
The initiative was announced last week but has been described as no better than a mechanic looking through a car window to see if it is okay.
“During the election, the First Minister promised MOTs for lung and heart health, making it quicker and easier for people to access checks that could ultimately save their lives,” said Joseph Carter, head of Asthma + Lung UK Scotland.
“What has been announced, however, is not an MOT – it’s the equivalent of a mechanic looking at the car through the window then sending you away.”
He said the new checks would improve access to advice and smoking cessation but would not provide the roll-out of diagnostic testing that is “desperately” needed.
“In 2023, PwC calculated that increasing spirometry testing in primary care to just 40% of eligible patients could save £3.6 million and lead to a reduction of 3847 bed days occupied per year in Scotland,” Carter said.
“We hope that over time, the Scottish Government will evaluate and expand this initiative, so it truly becomes the MOT that was promised.”
First Minister John Swinney announced the roll-out of the new checks last week, which are supposed to identify individuals at risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Delivered by Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (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.
They will then receive advice and support based on their individual needs.
Initially available to people in Tayside, Glasgow and Grampian, the Scottish Government and CHSS said they would 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.
Swinney 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.”
CHSS chief executive Jane-Claire Judson added: “Around one in five people in Scotland is 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 a £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.”
