MP for Finchley & Golders Green, Mike Freer, welcomes the announcement that the Royal Freer have agreed (in principle) for a static breast screening unit to be permanently placed at Finchley Memorial Hospital.
Mr Freer received a letter from the Chief Executive today (April 11) informing him that following a meeting with the Senior Operations Manager at the end of last month, plans were approved (in principle) for a future static site at Finchley Memorial Hospital.
The static site would provide a permanent base to invite women from the surrounding area. It would also address the problems of having to rely only on a mobile screening unit.
Although the plans have been drawn up for the area required for the screening service, no indicative costs have yet been given. The mobile breast screening unit will return in July 2016 and remain at Finchley Memorial until a definitive decision on the static site is made.
Mr Freer, who has campaigned on having a permanent site at Finchley Memorial since before becoming an MP said, “I’m delighted that the plans are being drawn up with the view to site a static screening unit at Finchley Memorial.
“On average, 16,500 cancers and tumours are detected by screening in the UK every year, but coverage for screening in London is the lowest of all strategic health authorities in England.[1] Having access to a permanent, more reliable, screening unit could potentially save hundreds of lives.”
[1] Figure taken from Cancer Research UK website