The scheduling of appointments is a matter solely for the clinicians concerned. I am informed by the hospital management at St. Vincent's Hospital that the existing breast clinic deals mainly with women diagnosed with symptomatic breast disease or with a high risk of developing breast cancer. The current situation at St. Vincent's Hospital regarding women seeking screening and routine mammography is that when a request is received the x-ray department writes to both the patient and their general practitioner informing them that all appointments for mammograms are filled by patients with symptomatic breast disease or with a high risk of developing breast cancer. If a patient is concerned with regard to the length of waiting times they are advised to contact their general practitioner who will then discuss their case with the relevant consultant radiologist at the hospital.
The Deputy will be aware that the existing breast clinic at St. Vincent's is due to be completely upgraded as part of phase one of the £50 million general redevelopment programme approved for the hospital. Planning work on this development is now at an advanced stage.
The level of activity at the breast clinic at St. Vincent's Hospital has been steadily increasing in recent years and the hospital is continuing to put measures in place in order to maintain and improve services to patients. In terms of improving appointment schedules the majority of new patients now attend the morning clinic, as they may require access to diagnostic facilities on the same day. The majority of return patients are now seen in the afternoon. In addition, the hospital is continuing to operate specialist nurse-led clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The hospital has also introduced a new computerised appointment system and has appointed an additional senior administrative officer who acts as liaison officer to improve patient services.
I am confident that this package of developments will impact favourably on the level and quality of services to women attending the clinic.
I am conscious of the importance of ensuring a high quality service for women with breast cancer and for women who have symptoms of or problems which may indicate the possible presence of breast disease. I am also conscious that the welcome introduction of phase one of a national breast cancer screening programme will raise awareness of breast cancer generally. With this in mind I have asked the National Cancer Forum to establish a sub-group with the following terms of reference: to assess the impact on the existing diagnostic services for benign and malignant breast disease in the light of the forthcoming national breast cancer screening programme; the increase in the target population; the increased awareness of the importance of breast screening; and the current and evolving technologies in the area of breast screening; to make recommendations to me on the diagnostic services for symptomatic breast disease necessary to meet projected increased needs; the need to develop associated services in radiotherapy, medical oncology, counselling and other support services; the resources required to develop these services; and the principles that should underlie the organisation and delivery of diagnostic services to ensure equity of access to, and the highest quality in, the provision of diagnostic services for breast disease.
