Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

BreastCheck is currently available in 15 counties in the eastern, north eastern, midland and parts of the south-eastern and western regions. BreastCheck has reported a very high volume of screening activity in 2006. Approximately 64,000 women were screened last year. That is a significant increase on the previous year. Screening has detected several hundred cancers.

The Minister has recently approved a national quality standard for symptomatic breast disease services under the Health Act 2007. These are, essentially, the standards under the national cancer control strategy. This will ensure compliance with the standards. The Minister has also called on hospitals in the independent sectors to take steps to ensure that BreastCheck complies with these standards. The Department and Barrington's Hospital continue to work closely together on the terms of reference and the progression of the review of symptomatic breast disease services under the auspices of Barrington's Hospital. That review is to be completed at the end of this month and any patients identified as needing further diagnostic or therapeutic interventions in the course of the review will be informed of this and referred promptly to the hospital for such intervention.

I know there are problems. Deputy Kenny mentioned the death of Susie Long last Friday, and how she fought her case and obviously felt let down by the system.

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