Breast Screening
The Countess Breast Screening Unit also had to satisfy rigorous
quality control standards to prove it was ready to implement the
latest digital imaging technology. This became fully operational on
1st December 2010. Whilst conventional screening equipment remains
reliable and of a very high standard, digital imaging technology
makes it easier for staff interpreting the images to identify
subtle changes in younger women's breast tissue (the
under-50s).
This is important because the first wave of the Screening Programme
Age Extension commenced in December 2010 to include younger women
aged 47-50 years of age. Until then, all women aged 50-70 years
were invited to attend a breast screening appointment once every
three years. By the end of 2016 all women aged 47-73 should receive
3 yearly invitations for breast screening as a Department of Health
requirement. As a result, women aged 47-73 will have the benefit of
at least one extra breast screen invitation during their lifetime,
compared to current arrangements. (Women over 73 may continue to
self-refer every 3 years for as long as they wish.)
For more information on Chester Breast Screening, please visit our
Breast Screening
website website, the link will open in a new
window.
Breast care
Consultants:
Miss E Redmond; Mrs C Harding-Mackean
Mrs Jackie Phillips - Breast Care Nurse Practitioner
2 Specialist Breast Care Nurses
The breast service has an excellent reputation locally for
delivering high quality, patient-focussed care. Based in our
dedicated Breast care unit the team offers a comprehensive range of
out-patient, in-patient and planned same day services and works
closely with the radiology and pathology departments to ensure that
all investigations are carried out in a timely manner. The breast
unit continues to successfully maintain a maximum 2 week wait for
all new outpatient appointments referred into the service and is
working closely with commissioning partners on the extension of
breast screening programmes nationally.
The department also continues to enhance its provision of post
mastectomy reconstructive surgery and works closely with the
plastic surgery department.