Minutes:
G McGee, Healthwatch County Durham raised an issue regarding mobile breast screening units advising the units had not been mobile since the pandemic and asked if there were plans for the units to be made mobile again. She also asked whether this had impacted on the number of people accessing breast screening.
S Gwillym, Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer advised that the following response had been received from the Public Health Programmes Manager, NHS England:
· University Hospital of North Durham (UHND) mobile unit was permanently sited there and was used to serve patients whose GPs were linked with Gateshead Breast Service Provider (Durham City areas).
· Bishop Auckland Hospital mobile unit was provided by North Tees Breast Service Provider to serve patients in the west Durham area (Bishop Auckland, Durham Dales, Shildon and recently, Newton Aycliffe) Residents in Newton Aycliffe were included for the last visit as the usual area in Aycliffe was undergoing refurbishment, however this had since been resolved and the next planned visit would be back at the Pioneering Care Centre Aycliffe. This was the same mobile unit that moved around from Bishop Auckland Hospital and other areas across Tees Valley.
· Stanley mobile unit was provided by Newcastle Breast Service Provider to serve patients in the North Durham area (Stanley, Consett and surrounding areas) and was also moved around to serve other areas across Northumberland.
The response from the Public Health Programmes Manager advised there were no plans to increase the number of sites visited by any of the Service Providers. She was aware that one premises in Durham had recently been lost (Crook North House Surgery) due to estates being taken which meant that residents from Durham Dales had to travel to Bishop Auckland Hospital for their screening. Moving a unit takes up time on top of the regular maintenance services the units require to maintain clinical and radiological standards, in addition to staff capacity. The 3 year round length plans were coordinated by the service providers to ensure as much access as possible was available across the region for patients to attend within their due dates. The round length plans were monitored as a key performance indicator (KPI) and the team worked with providers to ensure KPI’s were met or support offered where difficulties arose. The Public Health Programmes Manager advised that round length KPIs were within standards apart from Newcastle Breast Provider, this provider currently had a backlog caused by the pandemic, but this was expected to return to normal within the next three to four months. It was also noted that it had been difficult for service providers to identify suitable premises where units would be safe from vandalism and have access to facilities such as electricity and toilets.
The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer advised that further data regarding KPIs had been requested and would be shared with the Committee once received.
Councillor Quinn commented from experience that the service at Bishop Auckland hospital was impressive.
Councillor Gunn agreed with the high level of service at Bishop Auckland hospital but expressed concern regarding the locations of the mobile units. She explained that County Durham was a large geographical area and included a lot of rural areas and small towns and stated that it would be difficult for some residents to travel to these locations. Councillor Gunn stressed that support for these residents needed to be considered.
Councillor Stubbs stated that the mobile units appeared to be static and asked if the units would become mobile again to help those residents that were unable to travel. The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer confirmed that the mobile units would remain sited at the current locations. In response to a further question from Councillor Stubbs regarding the mobility of the units, the Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer clarified that the units were mobile in terms of the provider.
Councillor Haney felt that the current level of service was unacceptable and asked how many locations were served prior to the pandemic compared to now.
The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer assured Members and Healthwatch that he would form a response that highlighted their concerns and would ask if locations for breast screening services could be extended.
Resolved
i. That the response to the question from Healthwatch County Durham be noted.
ii. That further clarification be sought from the Public Health Programmes Manager regarding the locations of the mobile units.
iii. That further information regarding KPIs be shared with the Committee at a future meeting.