Faults cancel breast screening sessions

Faults with a mobile breast screening unit meant about 200 routine appointments had to be cancelled in Oban.

 

The unit outside Oban hospital will now be staying two days longer than planned, with late evening sessions being run to allow as many of those cancellations to be rescheduled as possible.

 

The service arrived on April 6 but early on developed a generator issue which was repaired the same day. New appointments were given soon after.

 

On Thursday June 10 another  fault developed, this time with the mammography equipment, and engineers were called in on Monday June 14 to fix it.

 

But the fault reappeared after two clients were imaged so the engineer returned and began to source parts to carry out more repairs, mending it the same day, said a spokesperson for NHS National Services Scotland. Normal service was due to restart on Tuesday.

 

Anyone affected can expect a letter or telephone call offering a new appointment on or before June 25, meaning a maximum two-week wait for some since their cancellations.

 

Women not wanting to be screened in Oban will be offered an appointment where there is availability, as will anyone wanting screening once the unit has left.

 

'The service has made every effort to provide alternative appointments following this situation, which was outwith its control,' added the spokesperson, who said the unit is regularly serviced and that faults cannot be predicted on age.