Breast Screening
All procedures and practices are carried out in accordance with the NHSBSP quality assurance guidelines. The unit is reviewed bi-annually to ensure that the programme is delivered in accordance with the National Quality Standards.
The Parapet Breast Unit has delivered the East Berkshire NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) since its inception in 1991. All women resident in East Berkshire and registered with local GPs, will automatically receive their first invitation to attend for breast screening by their 53rd birthday. They will continue to be invited once every 36 months up to the age of 70 unless they are formally ceased on medical grounds or the women requests to opt out of the programme. After the age of 70, women can choose to self-refer for breast screening by contacting the screening office.
Screening Clinics
The unit invites approximately 17,000 women per annum to attend one of the screening clinics at either the Parapet static unit or the mobile screening unit, which moves between three sites in East Berkshire. In collaboration with colleagues in Primary Care, and community organisations, a number of health promotion activities are initiated and delivered with the aim of maximising screening uptake rates.
Mammograms
Our dedicated team of Advanced Practitioners, Radiographers and Assistant Practitioners, are all trained specialists in mammography and perform the procedure as gently as possible. A team of breast radiologists and advanced practitioners read and report screening mammograms. They are all trained in accordance with the NHSBSP and report in excess of 5,000 mammograms each per annum to ensure that their skills are maintained. Women returned to routine recall will receive notification within three weeks. Where suspicious features are evident the patient will be recalled for assessment within three weeks.
Assessment Clinics
Assessment clinics for screening patients are held throughout the week and breast care nurses are available during these sessions to offer support to the patients. A radiologist or advanced practitioner will review each patient and additional mammograms and/or ultrasound are usually performed. Needle biopsies are usually undertaken at this first assessment visit if necessary to assist in the diagnostic process.
When further diagnostic investigations such as mammotome biopsies or MRI are recommended, the patient will usually be given the earliest possible appointment.
Patients are given appropriate advice about follow-up depending upon the investigations and results of their initial assessment visit.
Patients requiring treatment for benign or malignant conditions will be referred into the symptomatic service for treatment.
Contact
Screening Office Manager
Claire John
Telephone 01753 636297
Email claire.john@hwph-tr.nhs.uk
General Screening Enquiries / Appointments
Telephone 01753 636648
Further Information
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