National Lung cancer screening Programme
Taurus Healthcare is working in partnership with Wye Valley NHS Trust to deliver the Lung Cancer Screening Programme to people registered with a GP practice in Herefordshire.
The NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme aims to detect lung cancer early, often before symptoms develop. It is designed to save lives by identifying cancer at an earlier stage, when treatments is more likely to be successful. The programme is targeted at individuals aged 55 to 74 who have ever smokes, and it includes a risk assessment and a low-dose CT scan if deemed necessary.
If you're aged between 55 and 74 and have ever smoked, you may be given the opportunity to take part in lung cancer screening, with a lung health check.
Why lung health checks are done
Lung cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer in the UK. There are often no signs or symptoms of lung cancer at an early stage.
Lung cancer screening aims to find lung cancer early, sometimes before you have symptoms.
The lung health check looks at how well your lungs are working and can help diagnose lung cancer as early as possible. Early diagnosis can make lung cancer more treatable and make treatment more successful.
- Am I eligible for a lung health check?
You will be eligible if all of the following apply to you:
- you live in an area where lung health checks are currently offered
- you're aged between 55 and 74
- you're registered with a GP surgery in Herefordshire
- you're a current or former smoker.
If you think your GP may not know your smoking history or status it is worth making sure they know to ensure you receive an invite.
If you have received an invite and would like to book your appointment ...
If you have received an invitation via text message from us and would like to book your appointment you can click the link in your invitation to book online with us. Alternatively you can call 01432 262664 and one of our team will book an appointment for you. If you have received an invitation by letter you can call our team who will book an appointment for you.
We have a choice of appointments during the day as well as some evenings and weekends.
If you have heard about the Lung Cancer Screening Programme, and would like an appointment but haven’t received an invite yet it will be because appointments are being released in stages across the County. Everyone will be invited between March 2026 and April 2028.
If your contact details such as your mobile phone number or home address are incorrect, please contact your GP surgery to update these.
- I think I have received an invite in error
Invites are being sent to people who do not have symptoms of lung cancer and who have not reported symptoms, so unless you have never smoked, when you receive an invite it is most likely intended for you. However, if you have never smoked, please contact the lung cancer screening team on your letter so you can be removed from our contact list.
- I feel nervous about attending a lung health check
It can be worrying attending any screening, but the lung health checks are quite straightforward, pain free and cost free. They start with a simple assessment with a health professional, then for those people who are at higher risk they are invited for a scan. Scans are quick, they are not claustrophobic – the scanner passes over you, they are not harmful and they are over very quickly. It is a quick assessment that should provide peace of mind and if any issues are identified you will have all the support you need. More info about the scans are provided here.
- I have some questions about lung health checks and screenings
When you attend your appointment our HCA and Nurses can talk you through the process and provide you with further information about the checks if you feel you need some reassurance or to discuss it further.
Herefordshire is part of the West midland Cancer Alliance and will go live on 28th April 2026.
CT scans to be performed at Wye Valley Community Diagnostic Centre located on Holmer Road, behind B&Q.