Fears breast cancer has gone undetected across Harrow borough

Breast cancer may have gone undetected in women across Harrow after it emerged the screening process was not up to scratch.

In board papers released last month Harrow Primary Care Trust (PCT) slammed Barnet and Chase Farm Hospital, which is commissioned to carry out routine mammograms, because it was failing to hit targets.

As it stands the hospital in Enfield carries out screening for Harrow women aged between 50 and 70 who have free scheduled screens every three years as part of a national NHS programme.

However, the minutes of the recent paper said the hospital is failing to see as many patients as expected.

It also condemns the quality of the process and suggests that screening standards were not being met either.

It reads: "There is a real issue of the local population experiencing a poor breast screening service, comparative to the national level.

"Local residents are not being screened properly or to proper standards, which is unacceptable.

"Breast screening continues to be under-trajectory and a letter has been written to the current provider of this service notifying them that Harrow PCT will look into providing this service locally if it is not improved substantially."

Barnet and Chase Farm Hospital argued that the standard checks alluded to in the meeting were made a long time ago and that more recent processes show the service has improved.

But uptake is still under-trajectory as the hospital is still working to undertake more screenings.

A spokeswoman said: "There have been no issues of any clinical concerns and the North London Breast Screening Service continues to meet all Quality Assurance and clinical standards.

"Following a recent visit by the Quality Assurance Team, Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust is being held up as an example of good practice for other Breast Screening units to follow.

"The North London Breast Screening Service is keeping to the agreed screening timetable and is working pro-actively with all PCTs, including Harrow PCT, to minimise any delays and to improve uptake and coverage.

"Proposals for new screening sites have been made and discussions are being held to ensure that the screening timetable can be achieved."