650 breast screening appointments 'paused' during suspension of service

Service won't resume today as stated (24 February) says Manx Care

Routine breast screening on the Isle of Man won’t restart today – despite Manx Care saying it was due to resume.

The health body had told the public it had expected to restart services on 24 February after updating its programmes – but now says it will be Monday instead.

Routine screening was stopped earlier this month on the advice of a new consultant breast radiologist who wanted the Isle of Man to adopt best practice.

You can find out more HERE.

The suspension, and communication around it, was raised in the House of Keys as part of an urgent question by North Douglas MHK John Wannenburgh on 14 February.

He was told arrangements should be in place by today (24 February) so that screening could recommence the following week and that Manx Care was in daily contact with the Manchester Breast Screening Team.

However in a media release, later that day, Manx Care stated: “Services are expected to resume by 24 February 2023”.

Manx Radio has asked for an explanation about the discrepancy between the date given by the DHSC Minister and the date it released to the public.

Manx Care responded: “The 24th is the end of the business week and the 27th is the start of a new working week which is when services are due to resume.”

650 letters for screening appointments were put on hold during the period of suspension.

The health body says it’s now putting a plan in place to recover as many of these by the end of March through the securing of additional resources.

It adds: “We will be prioritising women who have previously had breast cancer or have a family history of cancer to have their screening appointment first.

“We would like to make it clear that the symptomatic breast service has operated as normal during this period, as this temporary pause only affected routine screening appointments.”