A NEW programme to cut the death toll in Scotland's poorest communities is already paying off.

Keep Well targets major killers that shorten life expectancy by getting people who might be at risk of heart disease, strokes and cancer - and normally wouldn't go for a check-up - to see the doctor.

They are sent letters which are followed up by phone calls. If they still don't respond an outreach worker goes out and chaps on their door and invites them in for an MoT.

I'll no longer look out for Captain Ahab at the beach CARETAKER Tom Stewart signed up for Keep Well during a regular visit to his GP. advertisement And when the 49-year-old from Glasgow's East End saw the results of his blood tests, he was shocked into acting after years of ignoring subtle hints from wife Emily. Tom, who works for the city council, said: "Emily had been getting on to me, saying she was embarrassed when I was on the beach. "She'd say, "You better watch out Captain Ahab doesn't come after you with a big harpoon. "But I hadn't done anything about it." That changed when he learned his cholesterol was three times the recommended level, while his blood sugar was extremely high - a major risk for diabetes. He said: "The doctor wasn't happy but it was a shock for me too. "I was really fit when I was younger but there's a lot of sitting around and shift work in my job, so I tended to snack. "Now I've stopped snacking, and eat more fruit and veg." Outreach worker Alex McGuire has advised Tom on fitting exercise into his lifestyle and is arranging membership at Tollcross Leisure Centre where he can swim and learn to use the gym. Tom often looks after venues during dance classes and laughed: "Alex said dancing's a great way to exercise. I just said to him Do I look like John Travolta?' "But they have all kinds of classes so I might sign up when I'm a bit fitter."

And East End GP Tom Gilhooley believes it has helped save six of his patients in the four weeks since it was launched at his practice.

Dr Gilhooley, who is based at Carntyne Medical Centre, said: "The people who will benefit most are those we never see in the surgery.

"In the past we would check someone's blood pressure, height and weight when they came in about something else.

"But some people feel that going to the doctor is a sign of weakness and as a result we never saw them. This is a chance to ask them in for a quick MoT' and offer advice and treatment if needed."

The new scheme aims to identify patients who may be sick but don't know they need help.

Dr Gilhooley said: "One man we invited in said he was feeling fine. He had occasional chest pains but he didn't think there was anything wrong with him."

The GP realised the man needed a referral to a heart specialist but the patient returned to the surgery before his hospital appointment arrived.

Dr Gilhooley said: "He was experiencing more pain and it was clear he was suffering from unstable angina.

"We had to start treatment for that right away."

In his 14 years as a GP, Dr Gilhooly admits that several patients haven't been so lucky.

He said: "All too often the first heart attack or stroke is the last. Not everyone will survive an event, so the answer is to prevent it in the first place."

Surgeries in the scheme write to all patients aged 45-65 to invite them in for a check-up which includes cholesterol, sugar, blood pressure and body mass index checks.

Dr Gilhooly is offering Saturday morning clinics for working patients who can't make an appointment during the week.

If tests show a patient is at risk, the doctor can prescribe cholesterol-busting statins where needed and refer patients to the practice nurse and outreach worker Alex McGuire for advice on diet, exercise and quitting smoking.

Mr McGuire said: "My Dad died at 59 of a heart attack, so I know first hand what it does to families.

"I can explain why it's very important to look after yourself, for your own sake and also for the sake of the people close to you."

Mr McGuire is well known in the area and having fought addictions to heroin and alcohol before going to university, he understands how hard it is people to get help.

The outreach worker can arrange support ranging from help to quit smoking and drug or alcohol treatment to finding an exercise class with a creche for a single mum who wants to get fitter.

Staff have trawled 4000 patient records, identifying 500 patients who might benefit from the check-up.

And Mr McGuire is now contacting 150 people who have not responded, either because they have forgotten, have not received a letter or don't want to take part.

He said: "One man I had to follow up was a guy I know well, so I went to his work to have a word with him. He decided not to come for a check-up.

"You can't drag people in but you have to empower them to make changes in their lives and let them decide."

He joked: "It's just as well the winter's over - I've a lot of doors to start chapping.

"But I'm happy to do it if doing so helps save even one person's life."

The Executive is spending £5million over three years on pilot projects in North and South Glasgow and Inverclyde.