§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to licence mobile cancer screening units; and if he will list those regulations which currently govern their operation.
§ Mrs. Currie[holding answer 25 November 1988]: The Department has asked health authorities to establish a breast cancer screening programme. It is for health authorities to decide whether this service would be provided most effectively by static centres, mobile units or a combination of the two. We do not propose to distinguish between these two types of NHS unit by requiring mobile units to be specially licensed.
131WThe statutory regulations which govern the operation of mobile screening units are:
Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974The Ionising Radiation Regulations 1985 (SI 1985 No. 1333)The Ionising Radiation (Protection of Persons Undergoing Medical Examination or Treatment) Regulations 1988 (SI 1988 No. 778)The Department's NHS procurement directorate has also issued guidance notes for health authorities on equipment requirements for breast cancer screening which includes comprehensive guidance on mobile breast cancer screening units including the constructional requirements of the trailer and its equipment.