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26 July 2005 - TUC Warning of Asbestos
Screening Scan Vans
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The Trades Union Congress (TUC) have issued a warning regarding
the arrival of the American style CT Scan Vans in the U.K. They say
this is not the best way for workers who fear they may be at risk from exposure
of asbestos to deal with the rising asbestos related disease in the U.K.
The Scan Van CT screening originated in the U.S.A., mainly to
provide insurance companies with the means to put forward claims for
compensation, which would provide monetary benefits of commission when
settlements were agreed upon.
The "mobile clinics" in the U.S. park in car parks, shopping
malls and community centres, where they can attract potential lawsuit claimants.
The concerns over the "touting for business" from scan vans in
the UK is not the only concern. The Health Protection Agency
highlight the risks of un-necessary CT scanning. They say there is a
one in a million chance of developing a fatal cancer from normal chest x-rays,
against a one in 2,000 from chest CT scanning.
TUC's Head of Safety, Mr. Hugh Robertson commented:
"These companies play on people’s fears, and are interested
not with the health of the worker, but whether they can make commission on
compensation claims for any illnesses they find. However, this is not just
ambulance chasing. There is growing concern over unnecessary or speculative
screening - in particular the use of CT scans, which may increase the chances of
certain cancers developing.
"Anyone who is concerned they may have an occupational
illness should contact their GP and make sure they let their doctor know why
they are concerned, their work history and symptoms."
Dr Clive McGavin, consultant chest physician at Derriford
Hospital in Plymouth said:
"If you are picking up pleural plaques or an asbestos-related
condition then screening workers with some form of scanning might be justified
but it seems totally unjustifiable going around on fishing expeditions.
"The radiologist who supervises the scan is responsible for
explaining [the risk]. If your scan van is parked in Falmouth Dock and the
radiologist is in the Brompton Hospital in London, how can that be happening?"
One company in Northumberland who are using the CT scan van,
Freeclaim IDC, is being investigated by the Department of Health as to whether
they are in compliance with the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure)
Regulations.
Freeclaim IDC say:
"All procedures are in full accordance with all relevant
regulations. These procedures are supervised by senior and eminent
consulting radiologists. We work in partnership with a private CT scanning
company that provides CT and MRI services to the NHS and other health
organisations."
Further information on Asbestos can be accessed from the HSE
Webpage by clicking the following:
HSE - Asbestos
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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