Scottish Breast Screening Programme Review of Service Delivery ...

1. Why and how we developed the optionsThis section outlines:1.1 The objectives of the Scottish Breast Programme1.2 Why the way the Scottish Breast Screening Programme is deliveredneeds to change1.3 What we aim to achieve1.4 What has the review achieved so far1.5 When a decision will be made1.1 The Scottish Breast Screening Programme objectivesThe Scottish Breast Screening Programme objectives are to:- Reduce mortality from breast cancer- Invite all women aged 50 -70 to attend for breast screening for earlysigns of breast cancer every 3 years;- Ensure clinically and cost effective screening of all women who take upthe invitation for screening;- Adhere to UK National and Healthcare Information Scotland (HIS)quality standards for breast screening;- Undertake further investigations where an abnormality is present, andensure onward referral for treatment if required.1.2 Why the way the Scottish Breast Screening Programme is deliveredneeds to change?The Scottish Breast Screening Programme (SBSP) was set up over 22 yearsago, and although the programme has undergone significant developmentsover the years, the way the service is delivered has never been reviewed.It was agreed by the NHS Scotland National Planning Forum (NPF) that anational review of the service was necessary to ensure that it can adapt tomeet current and future challenges.Ensuring Sustainability – ServiceA key challenge for the programme is the requirement to review thedistribution of breast screening resources across Scotland to ensure thatresources are matched to need. The way the SBSP is organised anddeveloped in the future should guarantee sustainability, clinical and costeffectiveness.In particular it should meet the needs of the women it serves as encapsulatedin the NHS Scotland Quality Strategy which has at its heart the six domains ofquality i.e. Safe, Effective, Person Centred, Equitable, Efficient, and Timely.8