The new static mammogram unit at Crawley Hospital has seen 80% of invited women attend for screening since opening in January, significantly above the national average of 70%.
How the static unit improved access for local women
Prior to the static unit’s opening, breast screenings in West Sussex were conducted solely in mobile units, requiring women from Crawley, Horsham and East Grinstead to travel considerable distances to Worthing Hospital for appointments.
Dr Olga Strukowska, consultant radiologist and director of West Sussex screening service, said the shift to a hybrid model of static and mobile units was designed to create a more equitable service after recognising that geographic barriers were preventing access for some eligible women.
Why attendance rates have risen since the unit opened
According to Rebecca Corbett, quality and improvement manager for West Sussex Brighton and Hove breast screening service, the static site in Crawley offers a more accessible option that has reduced the burden on women who previously struggled to reach mobile units or travel to the fixed site at Worthing Hospital.
Dr Strukowska attributes the improved uptake to sustained local engagement efforts, stating that the trust has been building community trust and awareness “for quite some time” to encourage participation in the screening programme.
What the service offers women aged 50 to 71
NHS breast screening is routinely offered to women aged from 50 up to their 71st birthday, and the Crawley static site is one of the locations where this service is now available alongside continued mobile unit operations across the region.
How long does it seize to receive results after a mammogram at the Crawley site?
Results are usually issued within three weeks of screening, according to Dr Olga Strukowska.
What proportion of invited women have attended screening at the Crawley static unit since it opened?
2,217 of the 2,769 women invited for a mammogram at the Crawley site have attended, representing an 80% uptake rate.