Mass screen for hidden disease

DOZENS of people who have not seen their GP for three years turned out en masse to see a medic in Chadderton at the weekend.

Woodlands Medical Practice hosted the first of a series of screening sessions on Saturday, to detect the prevalence of chronic kidney disease.

The move is part of a national scheme run by Kidney Research UK into the benefits of screening seemingly healthy people to uncover kidney problems.

Around three million people in the UK are estimated to have chronic kidney disease, but many are said to be unaware of it. It can go undetected because victims often display no symptoms.

People with a family history of the disease, or with high blood pressure, or diabetes, have a higher risk of developing it, as do certain ethnic groups, including Africans, West Indians and south Asians.

The next session is set for Saturday, October 11, and Dr Ian Wilkinson has appealed for more people who have not seen a doctor for three years to attend.

He said: “We are delighted to be among the first to take part in screening. This disease has no symptoms but can progress to kidney failure if untreated”

Five hundred volunteers are needed in all, and anyone who wants to take part in screening can book a 45-minute appointment by calling Chadderton Town Health Centre on 0161 909 8131.

Screening includes having height, weight and blood pressure checked, and giving blood and urine samples.




More information is available from the Kidney Health Information Line on 0845 300 1499