The rollout of the national breast screening programme to the remaining counties is a major priority in the development of cancer services. This will ensure that all women in the 50 to 64 age group in every county have access to breast screening and follow-up treatment where appropriate.
A capital investment of approximately €21 million has been approved to construct and equip two static clinical units, one in Cork and the other in Galway. In addition, this investment will also ensure that mobile units are available to screen women in the southern, western and north-western counties, including Donegal. Accordingly, BreastCheck will provide local mammography screening services for women in Donegal.
In advance of the rollout of BreastCheck to Donegal, women in Donegal avail of mammography services at Letterkenny General Hospital. I understand that there is considerable co-operation between Letterkenny General Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry.
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of mammography services. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's north western area to examine the particular issues raised and to reply to the Deputy directly.
