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Lungs for life and a smoke-free future – find out more at NHS Trust's annual meeting
Respiratory health is the focus of the special interest talks at this year’s Annual Members’ Meeting held by the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT) on Wednesday, 8 October 2025 in Bury St Edmunds.
Lungs for Life - prevention, early detection and smoke-free futures, will describe the Trust’s participation in the national lung cancer screening programme, and how early diagnosis can save lives.
The Trust’s public health team will also share the support available to patients and staff to give up smoking for good and support a campaign to promote smoke-free days, stays and visits across the Trust, to protect the health of our community.
Respiratory consultant Dr Jennifer Dickson is the lead for the WSFT’s participation in the NHS lung health check programme. She said: “We are one of the trusts taking part in the targeted lung cancer screening being rolled out across England by the NHS. Invites to be screened are focused on people aged between 55 and 75 who have ever smoked. They are further assessed for their eligibility in a lung health check telephone appointment.
“Lung cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer in the UK, and people will often not experience any signs or symptoms at an early stage. The screening programme is aimed at identifying early stage lung cancer, as if caught early, the disease can be more treatable, and treatment more successful. This will give people a better chance of living longer.”
Dr Dickson explained that people who currently smoke are at the highest risk of developing lung cancer, but that the risk decreases after people give up for good.
WSFT public health manager Jessica Hulbert will also be speaking at the AMM about the Trust’s aims to ensure a smoke-free future across the WSFT. She said: “On 1 October we are launching a new smoke-free policy and drive to ensure that our patients have a smoke-free stay, staff have a smoke-free shift, and visitors have a smoke-free visit.
“We have a broad range of treatment options and support available to help people quit smoking for good. The benefits to health and wellbeing, finances, and our whole community are immeasurable.”
- Everyone is welcome to the WSFT Annual Members' Meeting and health information marketplace on Wednesday, 8 October 2025.The event at the Eastern Education Group University and Professional Development Centre, 73 Western Way, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3SP, opens at 4.30pm with a variety of local services, charities and organisations taking part in the health information marketplace.
- At 5.30pm the formal meeting begins with a reflection of the past 12 months at the Trust from chief executive, Dr Ewen Cameron. Dr Cameron will also launch the Trust’s new strategy, which will inform the priorities and direction of the Trust until 2028.
Annual Members’ Meeting and Health Information Marketplace 2025
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