Locations Selected For Rodney Breast Screening Services

Locations for the new mobile, fully digital breastscreening service in Rodney have been selected following input from service users, GPs and the wider community.

The Rodney locations which the new Breastscreen Waitemata Northland mobile unit will visit from July 1 this year are:

•Te Hana Te Ao Marama, State Highway 1, Te Hana •Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre, 159 Brightside Rd, Whangaparaoa •Estuary Arts Centre, 214 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa •Mitre 10 Mega, Cnr Woodcocks Rd & Mansel Dr, Warkworth •Mitre 10, Mill Rd, Helensville

In addition, three other locations – Kaukapakapa, Snells Beach and Waimauku – have been confirmed, with site details currently being finalised.

Moira McLeod, BreastScreen Waitemata Northland manager, says the new digital mobile unit, which is owned and operated by Waitemata DHB, will help reduce health inequalities in the district, particularly among women living in rural areas of Rodney.

“Fixed sites tend not to reach rural women very well, and by moving to a mobile outreach service, we will be better able to meet the needs of more women in Rodney.”

The new mobile unit will also ensure that an extra 700 breast screening appointments are available for Rodney women over the next year.

“By using the latest in digital breast screening technology, the screening process is shorter and more hassle-free for women as we are able to capture and check the quality of the image immediately, without having to wait for films to be developed.

“This enables us to offer more appointments – ensuring increased access to the free national BreastScreen Aotearoa programme for women aged 45 to 69,” says Ms McLeod. “Women will also have a greater choice in terms of where they can have their screening appointment.”

The introduction of the new digital mobile unit means the two fixed sites in Orewa and Warkworth operated by Hibiscus Radiology have ceased providing free breastscreening services as part of the national screening programme run by BreastScreen Aotearoa. All other services provided by Hibiscus Radiology will continue as usual.

“We sincerely thank Hibiscus Radiology for their stellar contribution to the BreastScreen Aotearoa programme in the Rodney region over the last five years,” says Ms McLeod.

Along with being screened at the mobile unit, Rodney women will also have the option of having their free digital mammography appointment at BreastScreen Waitemata Northland’s permanent Takapuna clinic at 2 Pupuke Rd, Takapuna and Woodford House at Waitakere Hospital Grounds.

These clinics are open six days a week, including Saturday mornings and late nights Monday and Thursdays.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 0800 270 200, (09) 484 0200 or email enrolments@BSWN.govt.nz. Free transport is available to and from appointments if required.

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