Union: Miners' Health Checks Not Thorough Enough

Deadly lung diseases are being missed by regular chest scans for ex-miners, union officials say as they step up their campaign for more thorough health checks.

The Union of Democratic Mineworkers (UDM) is calling on the government to provide CT scans for former colliery workers after insisting that standard chest x-rays are failing to identify some serious illnesses such as pneumoconiosis.

Currently, every former employee is given free health checks - including chest x-rays- every three to four years.

However, the UDM claims these x-rays are not sufficiently thorough to pick up pneumoconiosis – known as miner's lung disease.

Ian Gill, social insurance officer for the UDM, said:

"We have had 18 to 20 men who have had chest x-rays that have not showed up pneumoconiosis, which has been diagnosed after they have been to their GP.

"There has been a feeling among the miners that the x-rays were never adequate."

Pneumoconiosis is a long-term and irreversible disease characterised by scarring and inflammation of the lung tissue.

Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, and a tight chest that will not go away. There are often many years between exposure to coal dust and the onset of the disease. Depending on the severity, it can sometimes be fatal.

If you believe your illness was caused by your employment you may be eligible for compensation. Speak to our team on 0845 603 0708 for more information.

Industrial Disease Solicitors