Expansion Of Breastscreen Aotearoa Services In Rodney

Expansion Of Breastscreen Aotearoa Services In Rodney

Breastscreening services in Rodney will be moving to fully digital technology from the middle of this year with the introduction of a new BreastScreen Waitemata Northland digital mobile unit.

The move to fully digital technology in Rodney will see the two fixed breastscreening sites in Orewa and Warkworth replaced with up to six mobile sites from July 1.

“The two fixed sites, currently subcontracted from Hibiscus Radiology will be replaced by a mobile unit owned and operated by Waitemata DHB,” says Moira McLeod, BreastScreen Waitemata Northland manager.

“The new mobile unit uses the latest in digital breast screening technology and means the screening process will be 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.

“The digital unit will substantially increase capacity by an additional 700 appointments within its first year of operation – ensuring increased accessibility and choice for women aged 45 to 69 to the free national BreastScreen Aotearoa programme in Rodney,” says Mrs McLeod.

“A strategic priority of BreastScreen Waitemata Northland and Waitemata DHB is reducing inequalities. Fixed sites do not reach rural women in Rodney whose needs are shown to be best met by mobile outreach services in their community and input is being sought from women and local GPs to find the sites in Rodney that will best serve their needs.”

A number of public meetings are also being held for people to come along to provide their input on suitable sites. These meetings are:

• Warkworth, 10.30am-12.30pm, March 24 – Women’s Centre, Town Hall Building, Alnwick St
• Orewa, 10.30am-12.30pm, April 6 – Hibiscus Coast Community House, 214-216 Hibiscus Coast Highway

Hibiscus Radiology will continue to deliver BreastScreen Aotearoa services for women in Orewa and Warkworth until June 30. 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 Mrs McLeod.

Around 27,638 Waitemata women underwent breast screening in the year to June 2010. Of those screenings, 3,600 were performed at the fixed sites in Orewa and Warkworth.

By locating the unit in up to six locations across Rodney, BreastScreen Waitemata Northland will be able to screen 4,300 women a year from the area.

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.

ENDS

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