§ Linda PerhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has set a target for breast screening coverage. [4028]
§ Yvette CooperThe National Health Service breast screening programme has a target of 70 per cent. for uptake of breast screening invitations. This was the level recommended by the Forrest Report on Breast Cancer
230W
Department of Health Vacancies Survey, March 2001 Three month vacancy rates1,2 and numbers for total consultant psychiatry posts in NHS Trusts in England as at 31 March for each year Psychiatry group of specialities 19993 20003 Rates (Percentage) Posts (Number) Rates (Percentage) Posts (Number) England 6.8 170 6.9 190 Northern and Yorkshire 7.3 20 7.7 30 Trent 4.0 10 5.0 10 West Midlands 9.0 20 11.4 30 North West 10.5 30 7.9 30 Eastern 4.4 10 6.0 10 London 5.5 30 7.4 40 South East 6.2 20 4.7 20 South West 7.5 20 2.2 10 Screening (1986) and has been in place since the start of the programme in 1988. Copies are available in the Library.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of extending breast screening to women over the age of 70 years; and how many more women would receive breast screening as a result. [4083]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 17 July 2001]: It is estimated that it would cost an extra £104 million a year to extend the National Health Service breast screening programme to women over the age of 70 years. It is estimated that the current programme costs £52 million a year and the current cost per woman screened is £40.
It is estimated that 2.6 million women aged 70 and over would participate in the programme taking account of 2001 population projection data and if uptake were in line with younger groups (75.6 per cent. in 1999–2000).
The Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer Screening is keeping this issue under review as new research evidence emerges.