Thousands to benefit from new breast screening unit

Monday 15 January 2018

A charity has donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to buy a new state-of-the-art breast screening unit in Guernsey.

The Pink Ladies donated £180,000, with the Health and Social Care Committee adding £100,000, to buy the new piece of equipment.

The previous kit was described as no longer economically viable to repair, having been used regularly over the previous nine years.

The charity stepped in to help by donating the bulk of the money to buy the most up-to-date equipment available, which will be easier for staff to use, offering images immediately for radiographers to view. Patients will still have to wait for results, until the images have been viewed by staff more closely, but the new machine is described as beneficial to worried women having the screening too.

Pictured: The new breast cancer screening unit at the PEH

Helen Richards, the lead radiographer for breast screening at the PEH, said: "We've now got the most up to date technology. It's got mood lighting, because some women can be compressed for up to 30 minutes so that can be quite stressful so the mood lighting can help keep you calm".

Ms Richards said the machine will be well used as the breast clinic has a high attendance rate and staff can see up to 50 women a day, or around 5000 a year. The mammography unit will be serviced at least once a year, and it's software can be updated remotely, with Ms Richards saying it should have a nine-year lifespan at least.

Lady Corder formally unveiled the new mammographer on behalf of the Pink Ladies, of which she is Patron. Lady Corder has been involved in fundraising initiatives as part of her role, including undertaking the biennial Pink Ladies Walk: "I did the walk, it was a great experience - it was great to see the sea of pink in front of me as walked along the coastline. The party in town was great too. I'd like to get one or two more walks in before we go!"

Pictured: Deputy Heidi Soulsby and Lady Corder learning about the new breast cancer screening unit.

Deputy Heidi Soulsby was there to receive the new machine on behalf of the Committee for Health and Social Care and said: "I'd like to thank the Pink Ladies. This is an amazing donation. People will say HSC should buy these things but we have to buy so much every year so every donation helps and is very much appreciated. The Pink Ladies is an excellent local charity which does a wonderful job for us". 

Speaking on behalf of the Pink Ladies at the launch, Karen Leach said: "For us, we know this unit is where women come to be seen at a vulnerable time in their lives. This is the icing on the cake. For us we were responsible to the people who donate money to us to make sure it is used in the right way so we've done that and you can now get on with the excellent work you do".

Pictured: Lady Corder unveiling the new breast cancer screening unit