Home / Health / Largest Breast Screening Service in England Launched
Largest Breast Screening Service in England Launched
17 Jun
Summary
- Breast screening service nearly doubles, becoming England's largest.
- 310,000 more women now included, serving a total of 750,000.
- Expanded service offers greater patient choice and booking flexibility.
The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust has significantly expanded its breast screening service, becoming the largest provider in England. This expansion now serves 750,000 women across north, east, and west London, bringing an additional 310,000 women into the program. The trust is now responsible for multiple breast screening services, including the West of London and Outer North East London services.
This growth has been supported by the addition of 80 new staff members, bringing the department's total headcount to over 220. The expanded service aims to offer patients greater choice regarding screening locations and increased flexibility in booking appointments. Early attendance for screening is emphasized as critical, with a significant majority of cancers diagnosed at earlier, more treatable stages.
The enlarged service now covers the entire North Thames area, providing benefits for patients who commute and offering extended day and weekend appointments. The trust also maintains a strong performance in timely cancer treatment, ranking high nationally for treating patients within 62 days of referral.
