HC Deb 12 May 1987 vol 116 c130W
Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he now expects the first breast cancer training centres to open.

Mrs. Currie

The location of four breast cancer screening centres to provide a national training facility has been discussed with regional health authorities. An announcement will be made very shortly.

Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he now expects the regional breast cancer screening service in each region to come into operation.

Mrs. Currie

Each regional health authority has been asked to have at least one screening centre, each serving a population of about half a million, in operation by March 1988. General guidance on how they should set up and organise their first screening centres was issued on 31 March.

The location of these centres should be decided before the end of May. Regional health authorities have also been asked to submit plans before the end of this year to extend the number of centres over the following two years to cover all eligible women by March 1990.