28. Health screening for over 40s (emergency matter for discussion)

Fife Branch

That this meeting of RCN Congress discusses whether offering universal access to health screening for the over 40s is the best way to spend NHS budgets when money is tight.

On this page:

• Watch the debate
• Read the progress report
• Read the debate report
• Read the background information

Progress report

Council Committee: NPPC
Committee decision: Covered by existing work
Council member/other member/stakeholder involvement:
Staff contact: lynn.young@rcn.org.uk

The discussion at Congress highlighted the range of views and opinions. The evidence for some interventions is mixed. As part of a radical overhaul of the NHS, the recent White Paper for NHS England (Liberating the NHS) proposed shifting commissioning to GP consortia. They will be required to make decisions on how best to spend limited resources to target the health needs of local populations. Part of that response might be to establish effective screening programs.    

Debate report

Nykoma Hamilton from Fife branch proposed this emergency matter for discussion to gauge delegates' thoughts on universal health screening for the over 40s. Presenting a balanced view she spoke of the potential benefits of such a programme but also warned of the potential financial impact of such an initiative.

In particular she highlighted Scotland's Living Well programme as well as the Labour Party’s pledge to roll out health checks. Whilst both had benefits she expressed concern over the cost and cited opinions from other groups which think that screening of specific target groups may be more beneficial.

Rachel Ridley pleaded for Congress to support the idea and said that even if screening saved one life it would be worth it.

Other delegates talked about the benefits and effectiveness of health promotion and health education rather than screening programmes. Lorraine Derby reinforced the idea of screening high risks groups only and told of her experience in Sandwell where a programme had been set up to screen high risk groups in cardiology.

Bethann Siviter spoke about the importance of self-screening and how it encouraged individuals to take more responsibility for their own health because they became more aware of cause and effect.