Breast Cancer: Screening

Mr. Hancock
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government has in place to ensure that there are appropriate resources and infrastructure for all breast screening units to have at least one full-field digital mammography set by 2010, as stated in the Cancer Reform Strategy.

Ann Keen
Primary care trusts are responsible for ensuring that all local breast screening units have at least one full-field digital mammography set by 2010. The rollout of digital mammography to the NHS Breast Screening Programme is being supported by a capital investment of approximately £120 million. This money has been allocated to trusts as part of the wider capital funding allocation they receive.

As a result of requests from local breast screening services, we have put in place a national framework contract for digital mammography X-ray equipment. This approach will enable standardised equipment to be purchased, the best value for money to be obtained, and will support local services with national expertise. Further details on how this will be taken forward will be issued to the national health service in the autumn.