Update from North of Scotland Breast Screening Service

Posted on May 31st, 2024

Breast Screening for individuals registered with the Dingwall & Strathpeffer Medical Practices

Women aged 50 – 70 years are invited to participate in the Scottish Breast Screening Programme every three years by having a mammogram. Evidence shows that routine screening every 3 years is the best way to detect breast cancer early, as screening helps by finding cancers at an early stage when they are too small to see or feel.

Questionnaire survey regarding screening arrangement

In March of this year, a questionnaire was sent to individuals registered with the Dingwall and Strathpeffer Medical Practices who are eligible for breast screening. The questionnaire aimed to gather their views on attending the Highland Breast Centre, Raigmore Hospital, for screening rather than the mobile screening unit in Dingwall. Individuals could be screened at the Highland Breast Centre from late spring / early summer 2024 whilst the mobile unit will not visit Dingwall until early 2025.

By Friday 12^th April 2024, questionnaires had been received from 1,347 people, 56% of those who were invited to take part. The majority of individuals (84%) indicated that they would favour attending the Highland Breast Centre, Raigmore Hospital, for screening from spring 2024 rather than attending the mobile unit in Dingwall during early 2025.

The results of the questionnaire survey were considered by NHS Highland’s Executive Directors Group, who approved plans to invite eligible individuals registered with the Dingwall and Strathpeffer Medical Practices to attend the Highland Breast Centre for screening.

Rearranging appointments to attend the Highland Breast Centre

Individuals will shortly be contacted regarding an appointment to attend the Highland Breast Centre. If appointments are on inconvenient days or at unsuitable times, they can be rearranged by calling the North of Scotland Breast Screening Service on the phone number within the invitation letter.

Traveling to the Highland Breast Centre

Public transport

Information on public transport between Strathpeffer, Dingwall and Inverness is available from Traveline Scotland by consulting its website (https://www.travelinescotland.com) or by phoning 0871 200 22 33.

Scottish Ambulance Service

Individuals who believe they require ambulance support to attend their appointment can discuss this with the Scottish Ambulance Service by calling 0300 123 1236. Lines are open:

• Monday:                     08:15 – 18:00
• Tuesday – Friday:    08:00 – 18:00
• Saturday:                   08:00 – 13:00

Screening for those who do not wish to attend the Highland Breast Centre

While individuals are encouraged to attend the Highland Breast Centre for screening, it is appreciated that this change may be particularly difficult for some women to manage and may wish to wait and be screened on the mobile unit when it visits Dingwall for a short period during early 2025.

The North of Scotland Breast Screening Service is currently unable to advise when the mobile unit will be in Dingwall. However, information regarding this will be disseminated during late 2024 / early 2025 through the Dingwall and Strathpeffer GP Practices, and other routes. Following this, individuals who were not able to attend an appointment at the Highland Breast Centre will be able to contact the Breast Screening Service to arrange an appointment on the mobile unit.

Further information

If you have any queries regarding breast screening arrangements for individuals registered with the Dingwall and Strathpeffer GP Practices, please contact the North of Scotland Breast Screening Service by phone on 01463 705416 or by e-mail at NHSH.HighlandBreastScreening@nhs.scot