HC Deb 14 June 1988 vol 135 cc152-3W
29. Mr. Andrew MacKay

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what additional resources the Government are providing in the current year for the national breast cancer screening programme.

Mrs. Currie

In addition to the resources of over £9 million provided to meet the initial and continuing costs of the first screening centres, the Government are providing £9 million in 1988–89 for the further development of the breast cancer screening service. Financial allocations to regional health authorities also include over £6 million for capital expenditure on the buildings and equipment for sufficient centres to serve about half the remaining population of each region on the basis of one centre per half a million population.

Between 1987–88 and 1989–90, on current plans, nearly £55 million will be provided to set up and run the screening centres, including central initiatives to support the service, for example through staff training, development of standard software and health education.

57. Mr. Gregory

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a further statement on the progress of the breast cancer screening programme.

59. Mr. Robert G. Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a further statement on the progress of the breast cancer screening programme.

60. Mr. Janman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a further statement on the progress of the breast cancer screening programme.

71. Mrs. Gillian Shephard

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many breast cancer screening centres are now operating around the country.

Mr. Mans

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made in implementing the national breast cancer screening programme.

Mrs. Currie

We are very pleased with the excellent progress of the national breast cancer screening programme. Some 17 screening centres—at least one in each regional health authority—including back-up services for the follow-up of any screen detected abnormalities have now been set up. Nearly all have by now started screening. Each centre serves a population of up to half a million; four of the centres—at Guildford, Camberwell (King's college hospital), Manchester and Nottingham are also providing training for staff from the whole programme. Planning is almost complete for the nationwide service in England, to be established by 1990. This will involve about 100 centres, and will include mobile caravans for rural areas. We hope to be able to announce details in July. We anticipate that the programme should significantly reduce mortality from breast cancer which is the major killer of women under 65.