Annual Report 2002: Chairperson's Statement
The programme's first Report covered the years 2000 and 2001. The performance results for that period established BreastCheck as a high quality service fulfiling and surpassing most of its targets. This Report is similarly positive.
2002 was also a year of new developments and significant advancements.These include the beginning of the second round and subsequent screening within Phase One of BreastCheck and submitting a detailed business plan for the full national expansion of screening to the Department of Health and Children.
The success of BreastCheck in meeting the targets set for Phase One laid the correct foundations for the national expansion of breast screening, and later culminated in the Ministerial announcement in early 2003. Throughout the year the programme was well supported by Minister Micheál Martin and his Department to whom we owe our sincere thanks.
I would also like to acknowledge the Board of BreastCheck for its commitment to the continued development of the programme.
Key to the success of BreastCheck has been the dedicated staff of the organisation - Clinical, Paramedical and Administrative,who are strongly committed to maintaining the high standards already being achieved and carrying this forward in the years ahead.
I offer a warm thanks to Ms.Maureen Lynott who was Director of the programme until September 2002. She led preparation of the expansion plan.Mr.Tony O’Brien succeeded Ms. Lynott and is now leading the national roll out of the programme.
As Chief Officer/Director of the programme he has assisted the Board to put in place a robust system of corporate governance, in line with best practice, and consistent with the needs of the programme going forward. I wish him continued success in the advancement of the programme.
On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Professor Joe Ennis for his tireless commitment to establishing the National Breast Screening Programme. Professor Ennis retired as Chief Medical Advisor to the Programme in 2003.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the numerous advocates who support and assist BreastCheck in its work. The long list includes GPs, primary healthcare nurses, public health nurses, Health Board staff, voluntary groups, community organisations,women’s groups, the media and members of the public.Their role is making a difference.
It is clear that the programme is having a substantial impact. BreastCheck provides a very positive health service experience for the women who participate, and the programme enjoys strong public confidence and acclaim.
We can look forward to continued success in the future confident that BreastCheck is delivering a substantial health benefit to women in Ireland - and is proving to be a successful model of service delivery within the Irish health system.
Dr. Sheelah Ryan
Chairperson, National Breast Screening Board.
(from the Annual Report 2002)
BreastCheck Programme Statistics 2002
Download Annual Report 2002 (.pdf file 640Kb, 48 pages): bc_areport02.pdf