Cancer screening moved from Cleckheaton due to mix up with power supply

NHS bosses have pulled the plug on a service which checks for signs of cancer in women because the power supply cannot run its new digital equipment.

The mobile breast screening service - which was based in a car park - had been running for more than 15 years, screening women between 50 and 70 for breast cancer every three year.

It uses mammography tests to take special X-ray pictures of breasts and check for signs of the disease.

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People who would have used the service - which was based behind Cleckheaton Health Centre, will now be asked to travel to either Dewsbury and District Hospital or St Luke’s Hospital in Bradford to get tested.

Helen Barker, chief operating officer for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I can confirm that we are currently unable to provide breast screening services from Cleckheaton Health Centre due to the need to upgrade the existing electrical supply which is required for the new digital mammography units.

“We recognise the need to provide a local service to the women of Cleckheaton and are attempting to resolve this matter with NHS Property Services who own Cleckheaton Health Centre.”

Robert Harter has taken his wife, Audrey, to the mobile service every three years since the 1995.

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The 72-year-old, said: “I think its ridiculous because some people just will not go all that way.”

The trust said it was looking for an alternative site to run the mobile service.

A spokesperson for the trust said: “We are keen to continue to support the provision of breast screening services in the local community and are working in partnership with the Trust to agree a solution for the service to be delivered in the Cleckheaton area

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”

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