I recently made representations to the Pavilions Shopping Centre and the Breast Check Screening Unit to convey the concerns of residents who were worried about losing this valuable service.
Dear Sir or Madam.
I have been asked by a number of Swords residents to contact you to request that the mobile breast check unit return to its previous location at the Pavilions in Swords. The residents are very anxious that this valuable service continues to operate in Swords
I would appreciate if you would please update me as to when you expect the mobile unit to be back in the Pavilions Shopping Centre .
I am aware that the Mobile unit will be relocated to another section of car park E and that there are some electrical and plumbing services required for this location. I also believe that a quote has been sent to you from the Pavilions management for consideration. please confirm that if this is correct.
Yours sincerely
Cllr.Joe Newman
This is the reply that I received
Dear Councillor,
I refer to your query in relation to the mobile BreastCheck unit at The Pavilions Shopping Centre, Swords, County Dublin. BreastCheck, the HSE National Breast Screening Programme, offers population-based breast screening to eligible women on an area by area basis every two years.
There are four regional centres responsible for the delivery of BreastCheck throughout the country. However, not all eligible women wish, or are able, to travel to one of these units. An important principle for the BreastCheck programme is to offer screening services locally to women in counties and locations convenient to where they live. To achieve this, each of the four screening units operates in tandem with mobile units. The majority of women participating in BreastCheck have their mammogram in one of these mobile units.
A mobile unit last arrived at the Pavilions Shopping Centre in February of 2018. All eligible women in the area were invited for a free mammogram. The unit departed on 25 October 2018. This routine of arriving at the Pavilions early in the year and departing in the run-up to Christmas has been the norm every year since 2002.
BreastCheck is still in discussion with management at The Pavilions Shopping Centre with a view to returning and is confident that we will acquire a permanent site for a mobile BreastCheck unit at the shopping centre. Our mobile transport agent is currently in the process of assessing two sites offered by The Pavilions. When this part of the process is complete, electricity, among other facilities, will need to be installed at the site which will require a period of time. It is not possible therefore to provide a start date at this time, but we are happy to provide you with updates or answer any further questions you may have.
Until this mobile unit is confirmed, women in the Swords area who are due a routine mammogram or missed their previous appointment in the The Pavilions Shopping Centre can avail of screening at the BreastCheck Eccles Unit, 14km away. They may arrange an appointment by calling the unit directly on (01) 882 6200.
I trust this information is of assistance to you but should you have any further queries please contact me.
Yours sincerely
Frances McNamara