Vol. 552 No. 1
392 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children the availability of BreastCheck within the Midland Health Board area; the number of women in the Midland Health Board area that have availed of this arrangement; the number of units in operation; the number of units proposed for the Midland Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11853/02]
As the Deputy is aware, BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme, commenced in March 2000 with phase one of the programme covering the Eastern Regional Health Authority, Midland Health Board and North-Eastern Health Board. Screening is being offered free of charge to all women in those areas in the target age group 50 to 64 years of age. It is expected that phase one of the programme will be completed by December 2002.
Screening takes place at two static units in Dublin – the Eccles Unit and the Merrion Unit. In addition, to facilitate women living outside the Dublin area, there are three mobile units which travel to provide screening at a local level.
BreastCheck has informed my Department that within the Midland Health Board area, screening has so far taken place in counties Longford and Westmeath, with counties Laois and Offaly scheduled for inclusion within the phase one screening round.
I understand that up to September 2001, the programme has invited more than 51,000 women for screening of which more than 36,000 have responded. I further understand that in the Midland Health Board area alone, more than 6,500 women have been invited to date, of which more than 4,600 have availed of the opportunity for screening, representing an uptake of 69%.
Question No. 393 answered with Question No. 334.
