Liz O'Donnell
Question:31 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the number of designated breast screening clinics in each health board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11773/96]
Written Answers. - Breast Screening Clinics.
Limerick East): At present in Ireland, mammography is used mainly as a diagnostic tool for symptomatic or worried women on referral from their general practitioners. Diagnostic mammography services are currently provided at 19 centres throughout the country, as per list attached.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department supported a major mammographic screening programme at the Mater Foundation and the Eccles Breast Screening Programme was part of a network of pilot schemes being carried out within the European Union.
A Government of Renewal contains an undertaking to expand the Eccles Breast Screening Programme on a phased basis to cover those women in the high risk category nationwide. However it was necessary to await the independent evaluation of the report from the Eccles Programme on the Epidemiological Aspects of Breast Cancer Screening. That evaluation report supports the introduction of a breast screening service, subject to the establishment of a population register.
The first phase of the programme will commence as soon as possible and will cover the Eastern, North Eastern and Midland Health Board areas. It will target 120,000 women in the age cohort 50 to 64 which represents 50 per cent of the national target population.
The decision to proceed on a phased basis is guided by the need for the achievement of acceptable compliance levels among the target population; ongoing evaluation of the programme from a quality assurance perspective; and availability of the necessary clinical expertise to conduct the programme.
It is vital that the phased introduction of the breast screening programme should take cognisance of these critical success factors. In this regard, a project team has been established within the Department to liaise closely with the pilot programme personnel and other relevant agencies to agree the organisational structures and operational arrangements required to implement the phased expansion of the programme. I expect to be in a position to make an announcement of the detailed arrangements for the programme within the next month.
Diagnostic Mammography Units
University College Hospital, Galway
Mater Hospital
Waterford
St. James's Hospital
Adelaide Hospital
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda
Mayo General
Tralee General
Our Lady's, Navan
Limerick Regional
Ennis General
Nenagh General
Portlaoise General
Beaumont Hospital
St. Vincent's Hospital
Sligo General
Letterkenny
South Infirmary/Victoria
Portiuncula Hospital.