New mobile breast screening unit officially opened
Women across Norfolk will benefit from a new mobile breast screening unit which has been officially opened.
The Norwich Breast Screening Service operates out of four sites – Norwich Community Hospital, Cromer Hospital and two mobile units which visit different locations across rural Norfolk. Together they screen 30,000 patients every year.
The NHS Breast Screening Programme guidance states breast screening equipment should be replaced every 10 years. Due to their age, both current mobile units need replacing. Lucy Jeal, Screening Programme and Breast Imaging Manager, has worked tirelessly to bring the mobile unit replacement project together over the past three years. The first new trailer, called Beatrix, was officially unveiled by the Sheriff of Norwich, Stuart Wright, on Tuesday afternoon. It will be moved over the weekend to replace the old mobile unit and will welcome its first patients in Wymondham on 7 October.
Females aged 50-71 are invited for a routine breast screening appointment every three years. Patients over 71 are also able to self-refer every three years. Routine appointments only take seven minutes and patients receive their results within two to three weeks via post. If any abnormalities are found, clients will be given an appointment with the Breast Imaging team at NNUH for further investigation.
Becky Bond, Deputy Breast Imaging Manager, said: “I’d like to thank the Sheriff for opening the unit for us. It’s great to see the new facility which will benefit thousands of females across Norfolk. Mobile units like these are vital to the success of the NHS Breast Screening Programme. I’d also like to thank Lucy for all her hard work; this unit would not be here today without her leadership.”
Becky added: “Breast screening is a well-woman service and saves around 1,300 lives each year in the UK by finding breast cancer early. If you notice any breast changes please do not wait for your next routine appointment, visit your GP and they will refer you to the symptomatic service at the hospital if necessary.”
The Sheriff of Norwich, Stuart Wright, said: “Today we continue this city’s dedication to health and wellbeing with this new breast screening unit. This new unit will offer thousands of people each year the chance to access potentially lifesaving screening. This is about you as well, the dedicated staff who greet everyone with kindness and perform screening with care. As we cut this ribbon, we celebrate your work and also the lives of the people it will touch.”