High Peak MP presses Government over High Peak breast screening mobiles

High Peak MP Robert Largan is pressing health ministers to have breast screening mobiles reinstated in three High Peak towns - adding ‘I desperately hope we get the right outcome’.
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In September news emerged that the service had been scrapped in Chapel-en-le-Frith, New Mills and Buxton.

Instead, High Peak women were told in a letter from health officials they would have to travel to a mobile unit at Bakewell’s Newholme Hospital for the breast cancer scan.

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However there are fears hundreds of women from across the High Peak will cancel - put off by the long journey which is as far as 20 miles from New Mills.

There are fears hundreds of women from across the High Peak will cancel breast screening appointments. Photo: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty ImagesThere are fears hundreds of women from across the High Peak will cancel breast screening appointments. Photo: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images
There are fears hundreds of women from across the High Peak will cancel breast screening appointments. Photo: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images

Speaking about the risks to public health the High Peak MP said there were concerns - particularly among older people – over the risks of using public transport while the pandemic was ongoing.

He said: “People, particularly older people who don’t drive, are worried about travelling on public transport and those who do drive are nervous about the journey in the winter when the roads aren’t great.

“The statistics are there which show how many appointments have been missed and how GP hospital referrals have decreased during Covid-19.”

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High Peak MP Robert Largan. Photo: Richard Townshend PhotographyHigh Peak MP Robert Largan. Photo: Richard Townshend Photography
High Peak MP Robert Largan. Photo: Richard Townshend Photography
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During a speech in the House of Commons last night (Thursday) Robert told how a ‘huge number of local people’ had signed his petition calling for the mobile units to be brought back.

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He told the Advertiser: “I think the Government needs to listen and the NHS commissioner who made this decision needs to rethink it.”

Women over the age of 50 are currently offered breast screening every three years.

When the service was withdrawn a spokesman for Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust described a ‘very large’ backlog of appointments following the suspension of the screening programme between March and July.

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He added: “This is a temporary measure to help restore the programme to its original state as the access at Bakewell means that we can work longer days and at weekends.

"We appreciate that we are asking women to travel for their screening appointment but we are working in unprecedented times and having considered other solutions this utilises the service to the best of our ability.”

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To sign the petition calling for the reintroduction of the units click HERE.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.