New mobile breast screening unit

Above: Mammographers Tiahna Bennett and Jeiran Hajivandi

Staff from East Cheshire NHS Trust have welcomed the arrival of a brand-new mobile breast screening unit.

The unit has been made possible following the government’s pledge an additional £10 million to provide 29 new NHS mobile breast cancer screening units to areas where they are most needed.

The new purpose-built unit has been designed with lift access to provide accessibility to patients with walking difficulties. There will also be specific clinics available for wheelchair users which will allow additional time.

The van will provide approx. 50 breast screening appointments daily, improving outcomes for patients, tackling health disparities and improving diagnosis rates. This investment will also help deliver a more accessible NHS where patients can receive care closer to home.

Pictured below centre with colleagues, John Dillon, Head of Diagnostics at East Cheshire NHS Trust said, “The Cheshire and Stockport Breast Screening Service is part of the National Breast Screening Programme and is run by East Cheshire NHS Trust. It provides a breast screening service for all women across East Cheshire, Mid Cheshire and Stockport aged 50 up to their 71st birthday.

“The aim of breast screening is to detect breast cancer at an earlier stage, often before the woman is aware of any problem.

“This fantastic investment into a new screening van will lead to an increase in early detection of breast cancer, which often results in simpler and more successful treatment.”

Breast screening services are delivered at Macclesfield Hospital, Leighton Hospital and via the new mobile screening van. Women will receive an invitation with the time, date and location of their appointment from their GP every three years during the age of 50 – 71.