NHS pledges up to £50 million to screen Grenfell survivors for smoke inhalation

NHS England is providing up to £50 million to go towards long-term screening
Rick Findler/PA
Sophie Williams9 October 2018

Survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire and those living nearby are to be screened to examine the effects of smoke inhalation and possible asbestos exposure.

NHS England is providing up to £50 million to go towards long-term screening and treatment for those affected by the devastating fire.

It will also be used to help support people’s physical and mental health following the tragedy.

NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said: “Since (Grenfell) the local NHS has frankly been one of the public services that has most fulfilled the social contract between those of us working in public services and communities relying on us in their time of need,"

Notting Hill Grenfell Tower Fire - In pictures

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"We, through the Central and North West London Trust, have been at community events, have knocked on more than 4,000 doors, we have helped screen 3,800 residents for their GP and mental health needs and more than a third of those have gone on to be referred for specialist services.

"In response to the request from residents of Grenfell and North Kensington, for an enhanced physical health check-up, screening programme, looking particularly at the effects of smoke and asbestos, the NHS is again stepping up and we are going to, over the next five years, provide up to £50 million of dedicated funding for the physical, as well as the mental health support, that people of north Kensington and the survivors of Grenfell, require."

Natasha Elcock, chairwoman of Grenfell United, said: "We are pleased to see this announcement, which comes after bereaved Grenfell United members raised concerns with the coroner about the long term health impacts for survivors.

"We've been working hard with the local NHS over the last 16 months to ensure the health and well being of survivors and the community is being looked after.

"The trauma of the Grenfell fire is something everyone affected will live with for the rest of our lives. It's reassuring to know that the long term care and support we need will be there, for the next five years and we hope beyond."

A total of 72 people died in the blaze on June 14 last year, with another resident dying in January.

Additional reporting by PA.

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