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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Coronavirus in Scotland: Cancer screening programmes paused | Coronavirus in Scotland: Cancer screening programmes paused |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Three cancer screening programmes have been paused across Scotland due to the coronavirus pandemic. | |
| The Scottish government said no additional patients would be invited until further notice. | The Scottish government said no additional patients would be invited until further notice. |
| Screenings for breast, cervical and bowel cancers are affected as well as Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) and diabetic retinopathy eye testing. | |
| Results for those recently screened or who have returned home test kits will continue to be processed. | Results for those recently screened or who have returned home test kits will continue to be processed. |
| Pregnancy and newborn screening programmes, including tests offered during pregnancy and just after or near birth, will continue "where logistically practical". | Pregnancy and newborn screening programmes, including tests offered during pregnancy and just after or near birth, will continue "where logistically practical". |
| The measure is designed to reallocate healthcare staff to support other essential services, including Covid-19 laboratory testing and covering for colleagues who are unwell or self-isolating. | The measure is designed to reallocate healthcare staff to support other essential services, including Covid-19 laboratory testing and covering for colleagues who are unwell or self-isolating. |
| Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: "This has been a difficult decision to take, but it is important to be aware that these screening programmes are focused on a well population, who are not known to have the conditions they are screened for. | Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: "This has been a difficult decision to take, but it is important to be aware that these screening programmes are focused on a well population, who are not known to have the conditions they are screened for. |
| "I want members of the public to be assured we will restart screening programmes as soon as it is safe to do so following clinical advice. | "I want members of the public to be assured we will restart screening programmes as soon as it is safe to do so following clinical advice. |
| "When this happens invitations will be re-issued and appointments will be rearranged." | "When this happens invitations will be re-issued and appointments will be rearranged." |
| 'Potentially fragile' | 'Potentially fragile' |
| The estimated numbers affected per quarter each year, based on the most recent statistics are: | The estimated numbers affected per quarter each year, based on the most recent statistics are: |
| The programmes affected include mammograms, smear tests and home test kits for bowel cancer. | The programmes affected include mammograms, smear tests and home test kits for bowel cancer. |
| AAA screening, which involves an ultrasound of the abdomen, and diabetic retinopathy, which requires images to be taken of the eye, have also been put on hold. | AAA screening, which involves an ultrasound of the abdomen, and diabetic retinopathy, which requires images to be taken of the eye, have also been put on hold. |
| Chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood acknowledged the risks to individuals through delayed diagnosis. | Chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood acknowledged the risks to individuals through delayed diagnosis. |
| But she said they needed to be weighed against the pressures on the NHS posed by the virus | But she said they needed to be weighed against the pressures on the NHS posed by the virus |
| Dr Calderwood added: "The programmes will be potentially fragile due to staff absences and there are clear risks to patients in being asked to attend for screening. | Dr Calderwood added: "The programmes will be potentially fragile due to staff absences and there are clear risks to patients in being asked to attend for screening. |
| "The redeployment of staff to work in other areas is also valuable as part of our national effort to tackle the effects of Covid-19." | "The redeployment of staff to work in other areas is also valuable as part of our national effort to tackle the effects of Covid-19." |