Breast screening bus at Black Country supermarket
A mobile breast screening unit in the Black Country has parked up at a supermarket so women can shop and have a potentially life-saving appointment in one convenient visit.
The Dudley, Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Breast Screening Service, based at Russells Hall Hospital, has three mobile screening units based at different community locations throughout the region.
One of the units, named ‘Hope’ by members of the public, has most recently touched base on Morrison’s car park in Bilston.
The pretty pink van is Covid secure with hand gel in all areas, temperature checks taken on arrival, and there are Covid health questions asked before the appointment can take place. The reception area is also secured with screens for the safety of both patients and staff.
Jayne Burness, health inequalities lead for the programme, said: “It is really important that women continue to attend for this essential screening programme and they can be confident that it is safe to do so.”
Women aged between 50 and 70 who are registered with a GP within the area are invited to attend for screening every three years at a mobile unit or static site.
The team are keen to reassure the public that despite Covid, their service is still up and running and it is not only safe to attend, but also incredibly important to do so.
Carol Winmill, a service user, added: “It was down to one of these mobile screening units that I found out I had breast cancer. Going for a mammogram saved my life. If you get an appointment, please attend.”
Members of the public are also invited to join in a breast awareness webinar ‘Check your Breasts, Protect the Rest’ on March 8 at 12.30pm which is being led by the breast screening service.
