§ Ms PerhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when the findings of the pilot projects assessing the impact of extending routine breast screening to women aged 65 to 69 years will be published. [88660]
§ Mr. HuttonThe pilot studies are due to finish in 2000 and the results will be published once the data have been analysed and evaluated.
§ Ms PerhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the report of the Chief Medical Officer's working group on contingency plans for implementing the findings of the pilot studies on extending the routine call element of the breast screening programme to women aged 65 to 69 to be published. [88659]
§ Mr. HuttonThe working group set up by the Chief Medical Officer was asked to assess the extent and nature of both current and future workforce pressures in the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme and identify possible ways in which these pressures could be eased. The Chief Medical Officer and Ministers are currently considering the working group's report and its recommendations, which will inform the ongoing work programme to ensure that the screening programme maintains the three year screening interval.