Minister advises against attending private firm's health clinics being held at her church
A Dundee minister has advised people not to attend a health screening clinic organised for her own church.
- By Alan Wilson
- Published in the Courier : 23.08.11
- Published online : 23.08.11 @ 03.51pm
The Rev Edith McMillan, minister at Douglas and Mid Craigie Parish Church, says a company calling themselves Life Line Screening are "preying on people's anxieties" and are charging more than £100 for services which are available free on the NHS.
The company has defended itself, insisting that while the tests are offered by the NHS they are not always easily available.
Ms McMillan's warning came after 86-year-old David Miller and his disabled wife Sheila (78) of Haldane Terrace were sent a letter by the US company, which has a West Sussex address. The letter urged Sheila to sign up for screenings which were taking place on one day only at the church.
David said: "We read the leaflet and it said we could save £126 on the screenings for strokes. It said they were happening in our area for one day only but it didn't say what that day was.
"We thought it was strange so I phoned up more out of curiosity than anything else. I asked them what day it was happening on and the woman asked for my postcode.
"I wasn't going to give my own postcode details out so I gave her the postcode for the church, which they had sent us, but she said it was an invalid postcode.
"I said forget the postcode, you must have a date for the screening if you've booked the church, but she said she couldn't give me the date."
Sheila added: "I can't walk far or take the bus and it's a long way away if we did want to go, so it would be £18 to £20 for a taxi. They wanted us to pay money up front for something that might not even take place.
"It might be genuine enough but they've got a strange way of going about it. We're maybe a couple of pensioners but you can't take us to the cleaners."
Ms McMillan said she had been on holiday when the booking had been taken and said she was unhappy about it.
Continued...
04.44pm - 23.08.2011 Maryfield Resident - Dundee, UK Report This
Good for the Minister to "Fess up" and admit a mistake has been made. This way something can be done about it before the screening day arrives. This is a great example of public courage and honest leadership that our community leaders should copy.
10.38pm - 23.08.2011 Ed - Dundee East, Dundee Report This
Cancel, give them their money back, lock the doors. That'll stop these parasites. Simples.
12.31pm - 24.08.2011 Alex - Dundee, UK Report This
"...a matter of choice for the public." It's a difficult choice - waste £100? ...or don't waste £100?
05.16pm - 24.08.2011 Craig - Worthing, UK Report This
While cordial debate about private screening is welcome, let’s be clear that LLS provides high quality service and care. Google "A&E Walking Timebomb" for one example of a life saved. Preventive screenings such as these are not available on NHS without active symptoms, which is often way too late.
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