(2) what estimate she has made of what the likely backlog will be when screening resumes at the North London Breast Screening Service;
(3) for what reasons the decision was taken to suspend breast cancer screening services at the North London Breast Screening Service.
I am advised that the temporary suspension was due to system process errors that were brought to light during a routine audit being carried out by the Quality Assurance Service. The audit flagged up that women were not invited for further assessments, in line with service protocols, following their mammogram. All the women affected received a normal mammogram (i.e. no abnormalities appeared on the mammogram). However, the women had mentioned other possible symptoms during their appointment and guidelines specify that further assessment should take place.
I understand that Enfield Primary Care Trust is currently working towards the completion of detailed plans to reopen the service during April. The service has been subject to an external review by the National Breast Screening Service Quality Assurance Team. The implementation of all the recommendations arising from the review continues to form a key part of the planning process. The trust will be able to confirm the precise arrangements for resuming the service after the review team has completed its work, which is expected by the end of March.
The trust with their partner primary care trusts have an evolving action plan in place for the recommencement of screening and to clear the backlog, including investigating arrangements with other potential service providers and their ability to assist with the backlog.
The unit is currently developing a full plan to facilitate the recommencement of screening services. Once this is complete the trust will be able to advise on estimates. It will also depend on whether arrangements can be put into place to screen women at other sites across London and the surrounding area. Women who have been waiting longest will be seen on a priority basis.
Approximately 3,500 women per month are normally seen by the service and it is estimated that approximately 10,000 women would have been affected by the suspension of the service.
This information is not held centrally.