Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services that provided an update on breast screening rates across County Durham (for copy of report, see file of minutes).

Sarah Burns, Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning, County Durham Care Partnership, Durham County Council and North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board was in attendance to present the report and deliver a presentation that provided details of the impact of breast cancer in County Durham; impact of COIVD on screening; improvement work and making the biggest difference (for copy of presentation, see file of minutes).

Councillor Haney asked why the data for Derwentside was lower than other areas and if the lack of a mobile unit had contributed to this. He then asked if the mobile unit was now fully operational.

The Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning, County Durham Care Partnership, Durham County Council and North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board responded that the mobile unit was in place at the end of January and was the benefit of having that local focus through the board.

Councillor Haney asked if there were any resources, they could put on their social media to advertise that the unit was up and running.

The Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning, County Durham Care Partnership, Durham County Council and North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board stated that appointment was via an invitation, but they could circulate some communication encouraging people to attend their appointment that would be welcomed.

Councillor Earley stated that he did not understand why the unit was at Tesco as he thought it would be a Shotley Bridge Hospital where it would be safer in particular if there were concerns of vandalism to vehicles.

The Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning, County Durham Care Partnership, Durham County Council and North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board indicated that she would ask NHS England if this site had been explored as an alternative. She stated that it may be related to accessibility and transport links but would get back to the Councillor Earley.

Councillor Blakey stated that it was positive that they were getting engagement in the Bowburn area. She continued that she sat on the Patient Participation Group and stated that she had not been told anything.

The Chair asked since COVID if they had identified any increase in later cases of breast cancer.

The Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning, County Durham Care Partnership, Durham County Council and North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board responded that this data often comes several years in lieu and could be something they looked at in the future.

Councillor Johnson referred to the period where there were no screenings and stated that at the age of 71 people were no longer invited for screening and asked if they had been invited beyond 71 due to COVID.

The Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning, County Durham Care Partnership, Durham County Council and North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board indicated that she did not believe that they were but would follow this up.

The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer asked Members if they would like to add consideration of the results of the audit to their 2024/25 work programme as an additional recommendation.

Resolved: (i) That the contents of the presentation on breast screening services across County Durham be noted.

(ii) That the briefing from NHS England Public Health Programmes Team be noted.

(iii) That the results of the audit be presented to the Committee as part of the Committee’s 2024/25 work programme.