Decision details

The BHRUT Deputy Chief Executive explained that the facilities at Victoria Hospital in Romford were no longer fit for purpose and £500,000 had therefore been invested on a new breast care centre of excellence at King George Hospital. This was due to open in stages over the two weeks from 19 May.

Patients had been involved in the design of the new centre which was located in the refurbished Elm ward of King George Hospital. The new centre would have ultrasound, mammograms and consulting rooms on the same site. Offices for specialist radiographers etc would also be located at the centre. Breast screening services would also continue to take place at Harold Wood clinic.

Work was in progress between BHRUT and Transport for London to improve transport links to BHRUT hospitals. The new facility at King George would have better car parking facilities, improved disabled access and longer opening hours (8 am – 8 pm). The Deputy Chie Executive would confirm if enhancements further improving the accuracy of mammogram machines would be available at the new unit. The Trust was also considering the purchase of an OSNA machine which could test the cancerous impact on lymph nodes whilst breast surgery was in progress.

It was AGREED to seek to arrange a visit by the Sub-Committee to the new centre, preferably before it opened to the public.

The mobile screening unit would continue to operate and it would be confirmed if this unit now used digital mammography machines. The national standard for the time in which a patient should receive the results of a mammogram would also be confirmed. Additional capacity had been built into the unit at King George to cope with demand and it would be confirmed if the unit was fully staffed.

It was suggested that an existing staff bus link between Queen’s and King George Hospitals could be opened for use by patients needing to travel between the two hospitals.

The Sub-Committee NOTED the position.