Table 1 Subthemes of theme I, with illustrative quotes

1a) An opportunity to improve health-related outcomes

“I think it's the fact that, you know, we're attracting essentially every sixty-five-year-old gentleman nationally, aren't we, so – it's almost like a gift ….. to pick up something else is got to be good ......”

(AAA Screening Programme staff, Focus group 7)

“….. people might actually be more inclined to have it done as part of AAA screening than going for like a health check at the GP surgery ….. and it's just about preventing people um from, you know, coming in as an emergency or being referred into the hospital setting ….. until they need it really .....”

(AAA Screening Programme manager & formerly screening technician, Interview 7)

1b) Positive health outcomes dependent on adequate follow-up

“Well depending on um if there is a (unclear) for the GP to act on, or a protocol to act on, then you can expect a bit of a favourable action. Sometimes you do all this – send it to them, and it's ignored or neglected, then it seems pointless, unless it's something to be actioned, or if they have a guideline to say that if this is a possibility, or this is this, this is what we're supposed to do, then we can expect a bit of a benefit or a good outcome of our screening ......”

(AAA specialist nurse & screening technician, Interview 5)

“….. I don't think that every man found to have PAD will go and book an appointment with their GP ….. I think it would be more beneficial for the patient to be booked an appointment – even if it was just a one-off, with the vascular nurse ….. They would be able to explain to them exactly why it's important they make the changes that they do make ….. because some GP surgeries would be better than others if the man does even attend …..”

(AAA Screening Programme manager & formerly screening technician, Interview 7)

1c) PAD+BP+AAA screening’s impact on patient experience

“And I see it as the more you're doing for one quick appointment ….. they don't have to come back again ..... they're only coming one appointment, they're not having two appointments, even if it's twenty minutes or half an hour – it's not like they'll have to be there for three hours, and have to pay like loads for the parking .....”

(AAA Screening Programme staff, Focus group 6)

“I’m on about to make the appointment as efficient as possible for the patient – we need something that you just literally clip on the toe or clip on the arm – or put on the arm , and there you go – there's your result ..... The easier things are to administer, you don't have the stresses and anxieties of um you know – difficulties being experienced while you're undertaking those tests …..”

(AAA Screening Programme staff, Focus group 8)