Breast Screening to Move Inline With England

Breast screening services are expected to resume by February 24.

Manx Care has issued the update after services were paused while the system is updated.

In an explanation Manx Care said: ‘Manx Care’s new Consultant Breast Radiologist has requested that the Isle of Man Programme become part of the mammogram reporting process alongside a second Breast Radiologist based in Manchester, so that any woman who is recalled for further investigations will have had her initial mammogram reported by the Radiologist who is seeing the patient for further investigations, such as a biopsy. This would ensure that our programme adheres more closely with best practice as detailed by the NHS National Breast Screening Programme and the Royal College of Radiologists.

‘For this reason, Manx Care has temporarily suspended the Breast Screening Programme so that arrangements to allow this to happen can be made, such as the linking up of our Mammography systems. Although the decision to suspend Breast Screening has been a difficult one, Manx Care is of the view that the benefit that the new arrangements will afford the women who will be recalled outweighs the temporary suspension of the service.

‘Manx Care anticipates these revised contractual and clinical arrangements with the Greater Manchester Breast Screening Programme (GM BSP) will be in place no later than Friday February 24 so that breast screening can recommence the following week, however Manx Care is in daily contact with the Manchester Breast Screening Team to progress the new arrangements and will recommence as soon as the arrangements are finalised.’

Any women who require a recall appointment based on a recent assessment will be contacted shortly to have this diarised in Manchester, with all travel arranged for them.