GP Care is offering an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm ("AAA") Screening service to private patients from a growing number of GP health centres in the wider Bristol area. This service is not yet available to patients under the NHS.
What is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?
An aortic aneurysm is an abnormal enlargement of the main artery which transports blood from the heart. Aneurysms can rupture when the artery becomes too enlarged, which can lead to death.
The statistics
National statistics suggest that circa 10,000 patients in the UK die as the result of an aortic aneurysm each year and many more have surgery to prevent rupture after the condition has been diagnosed. Statistics suggest that women are six times less likely to have an AAA. This roughly equates to 1 in 50 men dying from a ruptured AAA most of whom will be over 55 years of age.
Patients at risk
Any patient can access the service, however patients most at risk are considered to be from the following categories:
· Men over 55 years old;
· Patients from families with a history of aneurysms;
· Smokers;
· Patients with high blood pressure, heart disease or vascular disease; and
· Patients who have had a stroke
What is involved in AAA screening?
AAA screening involves a painless and non invasive ultrasound scan by a specialist using latest ultrasound technology that provides images of organs and blood vessels within the body.
Patients attend one of our community based clinics where they will be scanned before receiving an immediate verbal and written report regarding their risks of AAA.
Where an AAA is found the written report will be forwarded to the patient’s GP who can then arrange for appropriate onward care.
The cost
The cost of the Service is £70 per patient for an appointment that takes in the order of 20 minutes.
Locations
The Service is now available from 2 locations within South Gloucestershire PCT – Christchurch (Downend) and Yate (West Walk). Further clinic locations will be available shortly.
Booking a scan
Patients can book a scan by calling GP Care on 0845 468 2101, and waiting times are typically less than one week.
No preparation is necessary for the scan although you should bring your doctor’s details in order that reports can be sent directly to them should you so wish.
Questions
For a series of Frequently Asked Questions please click on the link. If you have any further questions then please call GP Care on the number above and ask for the Ultrasound Service Manager.
Download our Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm patient leaflet
For a series of Frequently Asked Questions please click on the link. If you have any further questions then please call GP Care on the number above and ask for the Ultrasound Service Manager.
Download our Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm patient leaflet
