AQW 16853/17-22 Written question to the Minister of Health

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

Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 25 March 2021

  • Answered
  • Written
  • After due date
Tabled
25 March 2021
Answer due by
13 April 2021
Answered
11 May 202147 days after tabling
Department
Department of Health
Priority question
No

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.

Official sources