Breastcheck apologises to Clare Council over Minister Misinformation

The National Cancer Screening Service has apologised for a misunderstanding with Clare County Council which may have added to delays in the roll-out of Breastcheck services to the county.

The body responsible for Breastcheck has apologised to Health Minister Mary Harney for giving her incorrect information, which wrongly blamed Clare County Council for the ongoing delays in finding a site for a mobile screening unit for Clare.

The National Cancer Screening service has told Clare FM it regrets the misunderstanding as no planning difficulties were raised by the council, and says it looks forward to providing Breastcheck to the women of Clare from the council offices in Ennis this autumn.

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But Director Tony O’Brien admits the confusion may have added to the long wait for vital cancer checks in Clare
 

 

STATEMENT FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO CLARE FM

Minister Áine Brady’s response on the adjournmentmatter raised by Timmy Dooley T.D on Tuesday, 11 May 2010, i.e. screening by BreastCheck in County Clare, including the reference to Clare CountyCouncil, was based on information provided by the National Cancer Screening
Service to the Department of Health and Children.

The NCSS incorrectly stated that BreastCheck was advised by Clare County Council that planning permission would be required for a mobile unit. The NCSS has now issued a press statement clarifying this and has expressed its regrets to Clare County Council.

Over 300 women from North County Clare have already been screened in the BreastCheck Unit in Galway and the NCSS has confirmed that screening for eligible women in the rest of County Clare will commence this autumn.