PM to announce new screening for at risk patients

By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Jan 7, 2008, 8:49 GMT

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown EPA/CATE GILLON / POOL

(M&C) - The prime minister is to announce plans for screening patients as part of a new preventative National Health Service.

The BBC reports that Mr Brown will say in a speech to an audience of health professionals today that screening will occur for at risk patients for such conditions as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes.

The screenings will be carried out by the patient's GP or by a private contractor and will consist of blood tests, electro-cardiograms (ECGs) and ultrasounds. The tests will move the NHS towards a more "personal and preventative health service" to be announced by the prime minister.

"A more personal and preventative service will be one that intervenes earlier, with more information and control put more quickly into the hands of patient and clinician, Mr Brown will say according to the BBC. 

"Over time, everyone in Britain will have access to the right preventative health check-up."

He will add: "There will soon be check-ups on offer to monitor for heart disease, strokes, diabetes and kidney disease - conditions which affect the lives of 6.2 million people, cause 200,000 deaths each year and account for a fifth of all hospital admissions."

Mr Brown also said on Sunday that his government's health policy would make the eradication of hospital "superbugs" such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile an "absolute priority".

However shadow health spokesman Andrew Lansley described the government's anti-superbug plan as "a gimmick".

 "Infections are a major problem in our hospitals," he said. Gordon Brown's one-off gimmicks won't solve this."