It was really very bad news that Dr Jane Buttimer was reported to have resigned as head of BreastCheck - the National Breast Screening Programme, Dr Mary Henry (Ind) said.
The programme had been a great success in the areas where it had been introduced so far. She was disappointed it had not been extended to the rest of the country. The major problem appeared to be getting radiographers. But worse still, a medical journal had reported that Dr Buttimer had resigned as head of the programme.
"This is really very, very bad news, because she set the whole scheme up and has had it running." The take-up rate was nearly 70 per cent, which was excellent. The Minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin, should tell the House if Dr Buttimer had, in fact, left the programme.
Mr Martin said the board of BreastCheck had taken a number of initiatives to address the issue of the current shortage of suitably skilled radiographers.
The board planned to carry out a feasibility study nationally on the availability of skilled staff for the programme and this was expected to be completed in a number of months.
"They expect to have recommendations regarding the extension of the programme to the rest of the country to me later on this year. Breast screening has a significant part to play in reducing morbidity and mortality from breast cancer in this country.
"I am committed to the extension of BreastCheck in order to ensure that women throughout the country have the highest quality breast screening services available to them. This involves, not only screening services, but also the availability of quality symptomatic services so that an equally high standard of hospital care is available for those who may require it following a screening detecting cancer."
The board had reviewed progress to date and had informed him they were pleased with the uptake of women in the areas screened so far, with uptake having virtually reached its target level of 70 per cent, while meeting the quality parameters set and providing evidence of a significant level of screen detected cancers. Ms Helen Keogh (FG) said BreastCheck's success or failure would be largely influenced by the lack of a comprehensive, accurate national population register.
"There are, without doubt, many women who will fall between the cracks in BreastCheck. By implementing a universal registration system, such as the use of RSI numbers, a more accurate population register could have been created for the programme, and for other screening programmes."