Question
Untitled item
S5W-20424 · Written Question · lodged by Baillie, Jackie
Lodged on
06 Dec 2018Heard / answered on
18 Dec 2018To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-19993 by Joe Fitzpatrick on 3 December 2018, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding which NHS boards have a backlog for breast screening examinations, broken down by length of backlog; how many women at each centre have been waiting for more than three weeks for a screening; whether it will provide a breakdown of the reasons given by each centre for the delays, and by what date it expects each centre to operate without delays, and how it will monitor progress with this.
The answer
Information on delays within the Scottish Breast Screening Programme are recorded by six regional Breast Screening centres.
As of September 2018, the delays range from 1 to 2 weeks ahead of schedule to 23 weeks over. A full breakdown is in the following table. Tolerances of 3 months over or under the 3 year invitation cycle for breast screening are currently accepted, which allows for flexibility and changes in practice scheduling and invitees availability for appointments
Centre
Static Centre Waiting Times
Mobile Waiting Times
East
7 weeks behind schedule
Both units ahead of schedule.
West
2 weeks behind schedule
4 units are ahead of schedule.
2 units are 3 weeks behind schedule
1 unit is 2 weeks behind schedule
North East
2 weeks behind schedule
1 unit is on schedule.
1 unit is 4 weeks behind schedule
South East
3 weeks behind schedule
1 Unit is 5 weeks behind schedule
1 Unit is 8 weeks behind schedule
1 Unit is 10 weeks behind schedule
1 Unit is 12 weeks behind schedule
1 Unit is 13 weeks behind schedule
South West
6 weeks ahead of schedule
1 Unit is 7 weeks behind schedule
1 Unit is 23 weeks behind schedule
North
On schedule
1 unit is 3 weeks behind schedule
Delay is monitored locally and reported monthly to National Services Division who commission and manage the programme. Where delays are significant, screening centres are required to submit a robust action plan detailing the initiatives and timescales to reduce delays. The reasons for delays are multi-factorial and may include increases in the eligible population to be invited, changes at GP practice level, staffing or equipment issues and adverse weather events.
There is no centrally held information on:how many women at each centre have been waiting more than three weeks for screeninga breakdown of the reasons by each centre for the delaysthe date each centre is expected to operate without delay
As of September 2018, the delays range from 1 to 2 weeks ahead of schedule to 23 weeks over. A full breakdown is in the following table. Tolerances of 3 months over or under the 3 year invitation cycle for breast screening are currently accepted, which allows for flexibility and changes in practice scheduling and invitees availability for appointments
Centre
Static Centre Waiting Times
Mobile Waiting Times
East
7 weeks behind schedule
Both units ahead of schedule.
West
2 weeks behind schedule
4 units are ahead of schedule.
2 units are 3 weeks behind schedule
1 unit is 2 weeks behind schedule
North East
2 weeks behind schedule
1 unit is on schedule.
1 unit is 4 weeks behind schedule
South East
3 weeks behind schedule
1 Unit is 5 weeks behind schedule
1 Unit is 8 weeks behind schedule
1 Unit is 10 weeks behind schedule
1 Unit is 12 weeks behind schedule
1 Unit is 13 weeks behind schedule
South West
6 weeks ahead of schedule
1 Unit is 7 weeks behind schedule
1 Unit is 23 weeks behind schedule
North
On schedule
1 unit is 3 weeks behind schedule
Delay is monitored locally and reported monthly to National Services Division who commission and manage the programme. Where delays are significant, screening centres are required to submit a robust action plan detailing the initiatives and timescales to reduce delays. The reasons for delays are multi-factorial and may include increases in the eligible population to be invited, changes at GP practice level, staffing or equipment issues and adverse weather events.
There is no centrally held information on:how many women at each centre have been waiting more than three weeks for screeninga breakdown of the reasons by each centre for the delaysthe date each centre is expected to operate without delay
Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 18 Dec 2018.