Mobile breast cancer screening services will be available in more places throughout the High Peak.  

The unit, which had already returned to Buxton in July, will be back in Chapel-en-le-Frith from Monday (20 September) and then in New Mills in October.

The schedule of clinics is subject to change due to staff availability and uptake from women. 

The mobile screening unit was withdrawn in 2020, with Covid cited as the reason, meaning local women were asked to travel to Bakewell or Chesterfield instead.

The extra distance meant that many women would be unable to make their appointment, which could mean cancer going undiagnosed.

To catch up with the backlog, North Derbyshire Breast Screening services are keeping four mobile vans in service instead of the usual two. Staff are working on their days off and weekend clinics.

Changes to working practice will increase the number of appointments each day. They are actively recruiting mammographers and have already recruited two trainee mammographers.

Women will be contacted and invited for appointments directly.

A number of people campaigned for the mobile screening unit to be reinstated, while more than 2,000 people signed a petition launched by High Peak MP Robert Largan - who also led a debate in Parliament calling for its return. 

The MP commented: “I am delighted that breast cancer screening clinics are coming back to Chapel-en-le-Frith this month and New Mills next month. Given the importance of early diagnosis for breast cancer survival rates, this reinstatement will undoubtedly save lives.

“A huge thanks to our local NHS staff for working so hard to bring this service back and catch up on the backlog.

“Thanks again to everyone who signed my petition and supported my campaign. This shows what we can achieve when we work together.”

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