Coughing Bus Shelters In Hertfordshire

21 April 2011, 12:00

Passengers waiting for a bus in Hertfordshire may hear an unusual sound over the next few days.

The local NHS is playing a coughing sound out as people approach the shelters, to raise awareness about the symptoms of lung cancer.

It's hoped the sound will make people who have had a persistent cough for more than three weeks go to their doctor and get it checked out.

Dr Philip Sawyer, a St Albans GP who is backing the campaign, said:

"Our coughing bus shelters are a bit of fun but they have a really serious message behind them. If you're aged over 50 and have a cough that lasts longer than usual - more than 3 weeks, or you're coughing up small amounts of blood, then make an appointment to see your GP as soon as you can. We hope that this innovative form of advertising will get people talking about these symptoms and turn a few heads across Hertfordshire."

The coughing bus shelters are part of a public awareness campaign that's running until the middle of May. The noise will be played out at five locations until early next week.