The Deputy will be aware that the national breast screening programme has drawn up a woman's charter as part of the commitment to providing a quality service for women. One of the targets of the charter includes waiting time for treatment. I have ring fenced funding to the two hospitals associated with BreastCheck to ensure that designated beds and dedicated theatre time are set aside so that the programme can implement the woman's charter.
I will shortly be receiving an expert report on the symptomatic breast screening services, which I expect will consider the remaining issues namely, lack of information, lack of communication, and poor support systems.
However, in order to prevent the issues arising in relation to the breast screening programme, BreastCheck has undertaken to carry out the following: an extensive PR campaign in each area prior to screening, using radio and print media and involving many local groups including health professionals, women's groups and voluntary organisations; information leaflets to those invited for screening, those who attend and those who require further investigation; an information pack to general practitioners in partnership with the Irish College of General Practitioners; employment of a multi-disciplinary team of highly skilled professionals, including two nurse counsellors who will be present at both assessment and treatment; and a commitment to provision of results to women within the target of the woman's charter.
