§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in supplying a mobile breast cancer screening unit at Woodside place, Glasgow to cover the Argyll and Clyde and Western Isles health boards; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe first mobile unit, operating from Woodside place, Glasgow, began screening women334W in the Argyll and Clyde health board area on 15 August 1990. Several districts have been completed and screening will begin in Oban on 22 April 1991, with the mobile unit subsequently moving to Mull and Lochgilphead. The opportunity will be available to women from nearby islands to be screened at that time.
Screening is expected to take place in the Western Isles during autumn 1992.
§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in supplying a mobile breast cancer screening unit in Inverness to cover the Highland health board area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe mobile unit will operate from the static screening and assessment centre at Raigmore, Inverness and is currently undergoing final maintenance and equipment checks.
The intention is for the static and mobile screening service to begin screening in early summer.
§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many women on average are screened at a mobile breast cancer screening unit in one year; and what is the cost of running one such unit and the number of units currently operational, by health board area in Scotland.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThere are six mobile breast cancer screening units currently operating in Scotland. The information on costs and numbers screened is not available as the service is not yet fully operational.