News & Events
08 September 2011
New cancer screening resources launched
Women in Wales with a learning disability look set to benefit from new screening resources, designed to help them if they need further tests following NHS breast or cervical screening.
Two new resource packs have been developed for health professionals working with people with a learning disability, with both packs containing very little text and plenty of photographs.
The packs are the latest in a series of teaching resources developed by the Screening Promotion Department of Public Health Wales. Other packs include ‘Having a Breast Test’ and ‘Having a Smear Test’ which were launched in 2008 and and ‘Having a Bowel Test’ which was produced in 2010.
Senior Screening Promotion Officer, Heather Ramessur Marsden commented: “We appreciate that when someone is called back for further tests, it can be a stressful time. And for participants with a learning disability, it is essential that information is available in an appropriate format. Sometimes providing a leaflet is just not enough. All of our health education packs have been designed to help participants to understand and make informed decisions about whether to accept their screening appointments.”
She added: “These new packs, called ‘Having a Breast Assessment’ and ‘What is Colposcopy?’ are broken down into small, manageable sections covering all aspects of the screening journey. They explain why the woman has been recalled, the possible tests that she may have and the results that she may receive.”
Sue Brady, a breast care nurse at Breast Test Wales, which runs the NHS breast screening programme commented: “As part of the development of these packs, we have already used the resources with women attending the breast clinic and feel that they are a valuable resource in explaining what will happen during their assessment appointment.
“As breast care nurses, we are always happy to meet and explain the process personally, but it is helpful having the packs to support women in understanding the system”
11 November 2010
Public views sought on screening programmes in Wales
MEN and women across Wales are being invited to share their views on NHS breast, bowel and cervical cancer screening tests.
A brand new ‘Public and Patient Involvement’ leaflet has been developed in a bid to encourage more members of the public to air their opinions, and actively promote the benefits of attending for regular screening tests.
Developed by the Screening Division of Public Health Wales, the bi-lingual leaflet will be distributed in communities throughout the country, in the hope of encouraging more people to step forward with their views, and help spread positive screening messages. People will be able to get involved in a number of ways, from participating in focus groups and surveys, to sharing their experiences of having a screening test through the media, websites and digital stories.
Screening Promotion Officer, Hannah Jones explained: “A specialist promotion team is employed to raise awareness of the screening programmes currently offered in Wales, and public involvement is at the very heart of our activity.
“Service users already provide invaluable support to us in many ways, such as contributing towards the development of new leaflets, and appearing in our promotional DVD’s.
They also help us during specific promotional campaigns, such as during the annual European Cervical Cancer Awareness Week in January. We were able to use women’s experiences of having a smear test to raise awareness in the media about the cervical screening programme.”
Dr Rosemary Fox, Acting Director of the Screening Division for Public Health Wales commented: “ I am delighted that we are able to introduce this new initiative, which will allow us to ensure that our activities are informed by the views of the users of our services.
“It is crucial that we understand the views of the public when planning services, in order to provide the high quality, user-centred screening programmes that people in Wales deserve.”
Screening Promotion: Public involvement information leaflet
Screening Promotion Officer Hannah Jones (left) and Clare Evans, Radiographer Helper, pictured with the new leaflet
09 April 2010
Breast Test Wales screens disabled women for the first time in new unit
Breast Test Wales had successfully screened their first disabled users of the new mobile breast screening unit which offers wheelchair access. The new Breast Test Wales unit is the first of its type in the UK and was launched by Breast Test Wales in January 2010.
Last week saw the first disabled users visit the unit to be screened in Bridgend Leisure Centre car park. There was 80% turnout from women due to be screened which was greater than the expected turnout at the Breast Test Wales clinics.
All but one of the disabled women who attended were able to be screened and all users were extremely appreciative of the service being provided to them.
Chris Tinkler, Head of Radiography for Breast Test Wales commented; “It was great to see these women being able to be screened in a unit local to them and the unit being able to practically accommodate their needs.
“There were some real lessons learnt from running the first clinic including ensuring the sides will come off the wheelchair to allow them to fit in the unit. We will be using this experience to make sure the service is improved in the future but we are delighted that the screening went so well.”
04 January 2010
Welsh screening unit offers improved access for disabled women.
Breast Test Wales has today launched a new mobile breast screening unit which offers wheelchair access. [read more...]
November 2009
- 'Screening for Life' Autumn/Winter 2009 published
01 October 2009
Public Health Wales goes live.
From Thursday 1 October, responsibility for the functions and services of Breast Test Wales has been taken on by the new NHS Trust, Public Health Wales.
Services provided by the Congenital Anomaly Register and Information Service (CARIS), the NPHS, Screening Services, the Wales Centre for Health and the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit (WCISU) will remain unchanged. So will the names and contact details for each of these services.
Further detail about the change and plans for the future can be found on the Public Health Wales website:
nww.publichealthwales.wales.nhs.uk (intranet)
www.publichealthwales.org (internet)
November 2007
'About Your Breast Screening / About Your Cervical Smear Test' DVD released.
The two 10-minute programmes explain the facts of having a breast screening test and a cervical smear test, in the words of real women and NHS staff. To order via email please use the Word file version below.
DVD order form (Word file)- DVD order form (PDF file)
