NHS screening programmes ‘need to fit with busy lives’

A review has called for easier access to NHS screening programmes in England, including weekend and evening clinics.

The report by Professor Sir Mike Richards, also said that tests should be offered in a wider variety of locations, including mobile units, and also recommended the use of social media to promote available options.

Sir Mike was appointed by the government to look into the five screening programmes, which cover the following:

•Bowel cancer
•Cervical cancer
•Breast cancer
•Abdominal aortic aneurysms
•Diabetic eye screening.

Around 15 million people are invited to take part in screening programmes each year. However, only 10 million take up the invitation, and uptake for bowel cancer screening is lowest, at below 60%.

Although the majority of screenings take place in GP centres and hospitals, work is being done to offer some of the tests via mobile units at supermarket car parks and other health clinics, for example sexual health centres for cervical screening, as well as opening up to evenings and weekends.

Simon Stevens, NHS England’s chief executive, said they were “sensible recommendations” that would be put into place.

Macmillan Cancer Support said that the recommendations should be implemented “urgently”.

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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