Local MP impressed by progress in breast cancer services

Created 21/05/2009 10:12

Staff working at the rejuvenated North London Breast Screening Service were treated to a recent visit by Andrew Dismore MP, who was given a tour of the facilities by Baroness Margaret Wall, the chairman of Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust.

97% of Barnet patients eligible for breast screening are now seen within the national target time. Also, while the service acknowledges a backlog of patients had built up during its suspension, the hard work and efficiency of its staff has seen the waiting list shrink faster than anyone imagined. In fact, it will be cleared by April 2010 - six months ahead of schedule.

Following his visit, Andrew Dismore described the staff as "extremely well motivated and dedicated", noting how much has been done to restore the service to its previous high standard. The good news for patients is that the standard is set to improve even further. £1.7m will be invested in new digital imaging equipment from May-August 2009, with the intention of increasing both the number of screenings and the reliability of the results. This will reduce the number of women recalled for further checks, which can understandably cause anxiety to patients.

For more information about the work of the North London Breast Screening Service, visit their website at http://www.nlbss.org.uk/