Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 177: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the ongoing delay in the roll-out of breast screening in the west and north west, she will direct the Health Service Executive to provide the service via private screening operators; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22357/06]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 210: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will enter discussions with private clinics such as the Bon Secours Hospital in Galway with a view to providing interim screening measures in view of the delay in the roll-out out of BreastCheck to the west and north-west of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22697/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 210 together.

A breast screening programme is a complex multi-disciplinary undertaking that requires considerable expertise and management involving population registers, call recall systems, mammography, pathology and appropriate treatment and follow-up. A programme must be quality assured and acceptable to women who attend for screening. The first phase of the programme is of a high quality and a similar quality in the West and South is essential.

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. I have made additional revenue funding of €2.3m available to BreastCheck to meet the additional costs of roll-out. I have also approved an additional 69 posts.

BreastCheck recently interviewed for Clinical Directors for both regions and appointments have been made and both will take up their positions later this year. Both are currently undergoing additional training in relation to their role as Clinical Director. This month BreastCheck will begin recruiting Consultant Radiologists, Consultant Surgeons and Consultant Histopathologists for both centres. BreastCheck is also recruiting radiographers. While the recruitment of radiographers is difficult at present as there is a shortage internationally of trained personnel, BreastCheck is confident that it will be in a position to employ sufficient radiographers at both sites.

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 is in the process of short-listing applicants to construct its two new clinical units. BreastCheck is also confident that the target date of next year for the commencement of roll-out to the Southern and Western regions will be met.

Any proposal received by BreastCheck to support the roll-out of its screening programme will be carefully examined to assess the extent to which it complies with existing standards. BreastCheck recently conducted an evaluation of a proposal from a private screening service and concluded that the clinic in question would not be in a position to provide a screening programme in line with BreastCheck standards.