Fox Valley offers free AAA health screening

14 March 2018

Fox Valley shopping centre is offering its visitors the chance to receive lifesaving screening at a mobile clinic.

The centre, in Stocksbridge, will be hosting an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening clinic on board an NHS Health Bus on 15 May. The clinic will offer men in the local area a location closer to home to be scanned for the condition.

An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm is a swelling of the aorta, the main blood vessel that runs through the abdomen. There are no signs or symptoms of the condition but it can be very dangerous if it isn’t spotted early on and can be fatal if it ruptures.

Screening is the only way to detect an AAA before it gets to a dangerous size. Men are invited by the national programme to attend a simple ultrasound scan during the year they turn 65. Men over 65 who have not previously been screened can call 01709 649100 to book an appointment at Fox Valley.

Michelle Keefe, South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw AAA Screening Programme Coordinator, said: “The scans will be done in private on the health bus and they only take five minutes. The ultrasound scan is painless and non-invasive and you’ll get the results there and then. The scan is so important because there are no signs or symptoms until, in many cases, it’s too late. We’re encouraging all men in the area aged 65 and over to get screened and to encourage their friends and family as well. Thank you Medi and the team at Fox Valley for offering this potentially life saving screening at Fox Valley. ”

Medi Parry-Williams, Operations Director at Fox Valley said: "What a great opportunity for our males customers over the age of 65, I'd encourage you all to take five minutes out of your day and take up the offer of free AAA screening."

All appointments must be pre-booked by calling the AAA Screening Team on 01709 649100.

For more information on AAAs, visit aaa.dbh.nhs.uk

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Notes to editors:
We are now a Teaching Hospital providing a wide range of health services to a population of around 420,000 at our three hospitals (Bassetlaw Hospital in Worksop, Doncaster Royal Infirmary, and Montagu Hospital, Mexborough) and community locations including Retford Hospital and Chequer Road Clinic.
In 2016/17 we had a turnover of £385,647m and 166,573 people attended our hospitals for emergency care, 28,620 of whom were admitted to a ward. We also delivered 4,949 babies and treated 53,025 patients as planned day cases, 12,036 patients having planned inpatient care, and 547,483 outpatients (including maternity but excluding clinical therapies).
As one of the first 10 NHS foundation trusts in the country, we really value the relationship we have with our members. Membership is free and open to all residents of Bassetlaw and Doncaster, and all patients from outside these areas, over the age of 16. Contact our Membership Office on 01302 644158 or email dbth.foundation.office@nhs.net to find out more about membership or to join.

For further information, contact:

Public Relations Department, Dransfield Properties Ltd
Tel: 01226 360644
Email: admin@dransfield.co.uk