Carmarthenshire health screenings for staff
Carmarthenshire County Council staff are being invited to take part in a round of health screenings to assess their risks of developing osteoporosis, prostate cancer and heart problems.
The health screenings are being organised by the council’s Occupational Health Unit as part of its commitment to keeping the workforce healthy.
The assessments include an ultrasound bone density heel scan - particularly useful in women, who are more prone to developing osteoporosis. The simple three-minute scan measures bone density profile and provides a good indication of the risk of suffering hip fractures later in life.
Male staff, aged 45 and over, are being offered a finger-prick blood test which measures the presence and concentration of prostate specific antigen in their circulation.
There will also be cardiovascular assessments which give an estimate of the degree of artery wall damage in the coronary vessels of the heart using a standard blood pressure device.
Any real health issues that come to light following the assessments can be taken back to the individual’s own GPs.
Heidi Font, the council’s Fitness For Work manager, said: “Many of the common diseases which cause premature death or severe reduction in quality of life are preventable conditions, provided individuals have access to medical tests which can measure for the presence or absence of risk factors.
“Unfortunately individuals cannot routinely access such testing via the NHS either because the expensive testing equipment is not located at GP centres or because they do not fit the referral criteria set by the NHS.
“This private screening service brings the screening equipment to individuals at their places of work and for a nominal fee.”
The screenings are taking place at Llanelli Town Hall on Tuesday, July 13; at St David’s Park, Carmarthen, on Wednesday, July 14; and at Parc Amanwy, Ammanford, on Thursday, July 15.
All screenings will be carried out by OAS Ltd. To book an appointment call 01923 857 616.
The health screenings are being organised by the council’s Occupational Health Unit as part of its commitment to keeping the workforce healthy.
The assessments include an ultrasound bone density heel scan - particularly useful in women, who are more prone to developing osteoporosis. The simple three-minute scan measures bone density profile and provides a good indication of the risk of suffering hip fractures later in life.
Male staff, aged 45 and over, are being offered a finger-prick blood test which measures the presence and concentration of prostate specific antigen in their circulation.
There will also be cardiovascular assessments which give an estimate of the degree of artery wall damage in the coronary vessels of the heart using a standard blood pressure device.
Any real health issues that come to light following the assessments can be taken back to the individual’s own GPs.
Heidi Font, the council’s Fitness For Work manager, said: “Many of the common diseases which cause premature death or severe reduction in quality of life are preventable conditions, provided individuals have access to medical tests which can measure for the presence or absence of risk factors.
“Unfortunately individuals cannot routinely access such testing via the NHS either because the expensive testing equipment is not located at GP centres or because they do not fit the referral criteria set by the NHS.
“This private screening service brings the screening equipment to individuals at their places of work and for a nominal fee.”
The screenings are taking place at Llanelli Town Hall on Tuesday, July 13; at St David’s Park, Carmarthen, on Wednesday, July 14; and at Parc Amanwy, Ammanford, on Thursday, July 15.
All screenings will be carried out by OAS Ltd. To book an appointment call 01923 857 616.
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