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PM to announce screening plans PM unveils health screening plan
(about 1 hour later)
A new screening programme in England for early signs of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes is being announced by Gordon Brown. Patients in England will be offered screening for early signs of heart disease, stroke and kidney disease, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said.
Such conditions affect about 6m Britons and at-risk patients could be screened by their GP or by a private contractor.Such conditions affect about 6m Britons and at-risk patients could be screened by their GP or by a private contractor.
Ahead of his first major speech on the NHS since becoming prime minister, Mr Brown said he wanted a more "personal and preventative health service". The PM said 21st Century NHS care will focus on prevention and not just cure.
He is also outlining plans for more diagnostic tests in GP surgeries. He is also outlining plans for more diagnostic tests in GP surgeries, such as blood tests, electro-cardiograms and ultrasounds to cut waiting times.
These will include blood tests, electro-cardiograms (ECGs) and ultrasounds, in a bid to meet the government's target of a maximum 18-week waiting time from diagnosis to treatment.
It remains one of the most trusted organisations in British society, its doctors, nurses and staff recognised by everyone as a force for good in our country. Gordon BrownIt remains one of the most trusted organisations in British society, its doctors, nurses and staff recognised by everyone as a force for good in our country. Gordon Brown
Speaking to an audience of health professionals in London on Monday, he will say: "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. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There are 200,000 deaths a year from heart and stroke disease.
"Over time, everyone in Britain will have access to the right preventative health check-up." "Many of them, indeed probably most of them, avoidable if we did the right things."
He will say: "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." He said screening for those was "only the start" with extended screening for breast cancer for women, preventative vaccines against cervical cancer and "far more" being done in relation to aneurysms.
NHS 'renewal' "The whole nature of this is that the health service has really got to change in its next 60 years from being the curative service - where it's done so much good - to being also a preventative service and one that's not simply a uniform service, but personal to people's needs," said Mr Brown.
Vascular screening, to be introduced this year or early in 2009, will include a series of blood, fat and sugar tests in GP surgeries. "So you get to see the doctor you want at the time you want and the hospital you want, but also a health service organised around your needs and at the same time, of course, the preventative work."
One test for early abdominal aortic aneurysm - the weakening of the main artery from heart to abdomen - could save as many as 1,600 lives each year, Mr Brown will say. 'Renewal'
He will emphasise that "renewal" of the NHS will be the government's highest priority. In a speech outlining his plans, Mr Brown will say vascular screening, to be introduced this year or early in 2009, will include a series of blood, fat and sugar tests in GP surgeries.
One test for early abdominal aortic aneurysm - the weakening of the main artery from heart to abdomen - could save as many as 1,600 lives each year.
The prime minister will emphasise that "renewal" of the NHS will be the government's highest priority.
"It remains one of the most trusted organisations in British society, its doctors, nurses and staff recognised by everyone as a force for good in our country.""It remains one of the most trusted organisations in British society, its doctors, nurses and staff recognised by everyone as a force for good in our country."
He will add that the aim is "deeper and wider reform" to create an NHS "that is here for all of us but personal to each of us".He will add that the aim is "deeper and wider reform" to create an NHS "that is here for all of us but personal to each of us".
His speech comes after he said on Sunday that in the future all patients entering NHS hospitals in England would be screened for MRSA and Clostridium difficile.His speech comes after he said on Sunday that in the future all patients entering NHS hospitals in England would be screened for MRSA and Clostridium difficile.
Mr Brown told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show that tackling hospital-acquired infections was an "absolute priority".Mr Brown told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show that tackling hospital-acquired infections was an "absolute priority".
But shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Infections are a major problem in our hospitals. Gordon Brown's one-off gimmicks won't solve this."But shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Infections are a major problem in our hospitals. Gordon Brown's one-off gimmicks won't solve this."