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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 4

Written Answers. - Cancer Screening.

Bernard Allen

Question:

100 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will confirm press reports that the breast check programme has failed to reach screening targets; if a comprehensive review of the operation has been carried out; and the findings of that review. [16382/01]

BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme commenced in February 2000. BreastCheck has reported that the uptake of invitations to screening is now approaching the target level of at least 70% set by the programme, with current uptake at 66%. It is anticipated that this figure will rise by between 6% to 8% on second invitation.

As the Deputy is aware, the successful development of the programme is dependent on the availability of highly skilled radiographers being available for screening. Because of a current shortage of suitably skilled radiographers, BreastCheck has taken a number of initiatives to address this issue, including running an international advertising campaign, offering an attractive employment package to suitably qualified radiographers and developing a joint initiative with the school of diagnostic imaging at the Faculty of Medicine, UCD to set up a post graduate diploma in mammographic imaging. BreastCheck has an agreed complement of 16 radiographers and at present have eight full-time equivalent radiographers, which is currently impacting on the programmes ability to screen the targeted number of women per annum. However, as outlined for the Deputy, BreastCheck are actively addressing this issue.

BreastCheck report that the targets achieved in all other areas are exemplary in comparison with European breast screening programmes in Holland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

It is the intention of my Department that phase two of the programme, which will involve the extension of BreastCheck nationwide, should follow phase 1 as soon as is practicably possible. The decision to proceed on a phased basis is a reflection of the complexities involved in the screening process and it is essential that the programme is driven by international quality assurance criteria and best practice.

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