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05
Feb 2019
Cancer screening programmes not meeting targets
According to a report by the National Audit Office, none of the three leading health screening programmes in England, for breast, cervical or bowel cancer, met their targets last year.
The report also showed that there were delays in results for cervical screening with a backlog of nearly 100,000 samples, highlighting a difference across the country in the numbers of people screened, with the lowest coverage levels in London.
The Health Foundation’s Rebecca Fisher, said the report sowed “a deeply concerning picture of the state of screening programmes in England, with missed targets, inconsistent coverage and ageing IT systems.
“Today’s report highlights an urgent need for investment in the IT and equipment required to make improvements.
“Policymakers must also consider how to most efficiently run screening programmes to ensure that these potentially lifesaving services are equally available right across the country.”
Meg Hiller of the MPs’ public accounts committee, said “Those responsible for screening programmes are not always capable of picking up when people are not invited for a screening appointment, or ensuring that people receive their test results on time.
“It is unacceptable that these important screening programmes are being let down by complex and ageing IT. The Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and Public Health England need to get this fixed.”
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care said “Our screening programmes are widely recognised as among the best in the world, and we are committed to making any improvements needed to keep our offer to patients world-class.
“Prevention and early diagnosis of cancer are key priorities for this government, and we are already working closely with NHS England and Public Health England to address the issues this useful report highlights.”
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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Freephone : 0800 304 738
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