Annual Report 2000 - 2001: Chairperson's Statement
Welcome to the first Annual Report of BreastCheck, the National Breast Screening Programme. This report covers the first two years of implementation 2000 and 2001 - and will be followed by yearly reports in the future.
It has been a period of significant advancement for the programme with the commencement of screening in early 2000 and the attainment of Quality Assurance targets by the end of 2001.
A major achievement of the programme during its first two years of screening was to exceed the target uptake level of 70%. This has been matched with a proven quality of service delivered to the highest international standards.
These milestones were identified as key to the success of the programme in the National Breast Screening Committee First Report in 1998; they have now been achieved and will also apply to the planning and implementation of the national expansion of the programme.
In keeping with the principles of the National Health Strategy, the programme is people centred. Our staff provide an integrated multi-disciplinary service in the context of a Women's Charter, with individual appointments, a personal care plan and clear timescales for giving results and offering further treatment.
I would like to thank Dr. Jane Buttimer who was Director when the programme was first established in 1998 up to mid 2001.
Her commitment and expertise successfully brought the programme from its strategic layout to implementation stage.
May I also offer a warm thanks to our Director, Ms. Maureen Lynott for her leadership and expertise in guiding the programme through its early implementation stages and for putting in place effective foundations for the future expansion of the programme.
Key to the success of BreastCheck has been the dedicated staff of the organisation itself and their strong commitment to achieving the very important aims and goals of the programme.
I would like to acknowledge the Board of BreastCheck for its commitment to the successful development of the programme.
We have been well served and supported by the Minister and Department of Health and Children to whom we owe our sincere thanks.
I am confident that the excellence of the BreastCheck programme will have a substantial impact over time in saving women's lives, as well as providing a very positive health service experience for the women who participate.
On behalf of the Board I would like to welcome Mr. Tony O'Brien who took over the role of Director of BreastCheck in September 2002. I wish him every success in the future development of the programme.
The years 2000 and 2001 have seen the commencement and development of a breast screening programme to be proud of. We can look forward to the future with confidence that a breast cancer screening programme, as good as any in the world, has been established and will continue to develop in Ireland.
Dr. Sheelah Ryan
Chairperson
(October 2002)
BreastCheck Programme Statistics 2000-01
Download Annual Report (.pdf file 208Kb, 24 pages - A4 format): bc_areport0102.pdf