AQW 16853/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 25/03/2021
Answered On Date: 11/05/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on mobile breast screening services, including any delays or backlog currently being experienced.

Answer:

Following a 4 month pause due to Covid-19 the Northern Ireland Breast Screening Programme resumed in July 2020. Outside of the Belfast Trust, most screening mammograms are carried out on mobile breast screening trailers. These units are working hard to reduce the backlog by providing extra clinics during evenings and weekends, whilst ensuring the recovery of the programme does not compromise on quality.

Over 25,000 women who had their screening delayed due to this pause were offered a screening appointment by the end of September 2020.

There is a backlog of 7,390 women waiting for breast screening across the four breast screening units, including mobile and static sites.