20 Sep 2018
Figures have emerged that in 2016 thousands of women in Scotland were not sent breast screening invitations as a result of an ‘adverse event’ within the National Services Division.
This is despite SNP assurances in May 2018 that no Scottish women had missed breast cancer screening and the subsequent reassurance, in September, that only 1,800 women had, indeed, missed the screening last year.
In December 2016 a report published by Healthcare Improvement Scotland identified that 3,831 women had not been sent a routine invitation for breast screening.
It states: “The report reviews the management of adverse events, which included the identification of 3,831 women who had not been sent a routine invitation to be screened.”
Jamie Greene MSP asked the First Minister in Holyrood today about the identification of the error, and the recommendations from the review, one of which was better oversight of the new IT system.
Mr Greene asked; “So can I ask why was the 2016 recommendation ignored? And what reassurances can she give that the screening programme IT system is fit for purpose?”
The First Minister responded that these were unrelated issues.
Scottish Conservative MSP Jamie Greene said:
“The SNP clearly doesn’t have a grip on this situation.
“The former Health Secretary assured the Scottish Parliament and the public that no Scottish women had missed crucial breast screening appointments.
“Four months later we were assured that only 1,800 women had in fact been missed, and now we find out that a further 3,800 were not sent screening invitations in 2016 due to computer error.
“This will not reassure women across Scotland.
“The SNP must now ensure the system is fit for purpose and ensure that no other women have missed these vital screenings.”
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