I have met with representatives of BreastCheck and they are fully aware of my wish to have a quality assured programme rolled out to the remaining regions in the country as quickly as possible. For this to happen, essential elements of the roll out must be in place including adequate staffing, effective training and quality assurance programmes.
At a meeting with Department officials last week, BreastCheck reported on significant progress that has been made in preparation for the roll-out. Further discussions are planned. Additional revenue funding of €2.3m has been made available to BreastCheck to meet the additional costs of rollout and an additional 69 posts have been approved. BreastCheck has appointed Clinical Directors for the Southern and Western regions and both will take up their positions in November of this year. The Clinical Directors are currently undergoing additional training in relation to their role. The recruitment of Consultants and other staff, including Radiographers is underway.
BreastCheck also requires considerable capital investment in the construction of two new clinical units and in the provision of five additional mobile units and state of the art digital equipment. I have made available an additional €21m capital funding to BreastCheck for this purpose. BreastCheck reported last week that construction teams have been appointed for the static units in University College Hospital Galway and South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital, Cork and mobilisation meetings are scheduled to take place in both locations this week. BreastCheck is confident that the target date of next year for the commencement of roll out to the Southern and Western regions will be met.
