Cuts put roll-out of Breast Check under threat in three counties

THE roll-out of Breast- Check, the national breast screening programme, is under threat in counties Clare, Leitrim and Donegal because of a shortage of radiographers and a ban on recruitment.

Yesterday, Tony O’Brien, chief executive of the National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS), said the fallout from the moratorium meant their biennial check-ups of women around the country could also be compromised.

The service needs 67 radiographers for full operating capacity, and is currently down to 52. There are 25 vacancies across the service and Mr O’Brien is seeking an urgent derogation from the recruitment ban.