South Eastern Trust statement as staff absences lead to delay in issuing mammography results

A Northern Ireland health trust says it's "working tirelessly" to clear backlogs in issuing mammography results to women.

It comes after Belfast Live was contacted by a distressed Co Down breast cancer survivor who has been waiting seven weeks for the results of her annual mammogram.

The South Eastern Trust says its breast radiology department at the Ulster Hospital has experienced a number of staff absences but says the team is working tirelessly to clear any backlogs.

Having had breast cancer in 2022 for which she received excellent and timely treatment and on an annual mammogram for five years, the Newtownards woman, who does not wish to be named, said this has been the worst experience to date.

She told Belfast Live: "I had my third year mammogram at the Ulster Hospital on February 28 and was advised by the technician that I would get my result in four weeks. I have now entered week seven since my mammogram and after exhaustive phone calls, I was told on Monday of this week that my mammogram had not yet been seen.

"Nearly seven weeks and it hasn't even been looked at - so much for breast screening and timely treatment. I let the four weeks go past and I only really started ringing last week because it was in six weeks but that last telephone call is just what threw me altogether because I was told it hasn't been seen.

"You always worked on the premise as well with mammograms that if there's something wrong, you hear quickly. I had other CT scans done late last year and I got my results in a week. But now there seems to be something about mammograms."

The 71-year-old added: "I was diagnosed with breast cancer by a mammogram back in 2022 when they found a lump that was so tiny. I felt nothing beforehand but it was a mammogram that got me the treatment that I needed. I had surgery and fortunately I didn't need chemotherapy.

"My treatment was superb and I couldn't fault any part of it from beginning to end. I had my surgery in the Ulster Hospital and then radiotherapy at Belfast City Hospital, and each of the consultants were fantastic. So I've had a good experience up until now but clearly something's gone wrong in the system here.

"I'm sorry but waiting seven or eight weeks is just not acceptable. At no time during my phone calls last week did anyone mention staff absences to me but correct communication is the key thing," she added.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Trust said: "The South Eastern Trust fully understands how distressing any delays in the reporting of mammograms can be for our patients. Regrettably, the Breast Radiology department has experienced a number of staff absences, however the team is working tirelessly to clear any backlogs.

"The Trust is doing everything possible to minimise any further delays and ensure that mammograms are reported on as quickly and as safely as possible."

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