Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the level of breast cancer screening in (a) the West Midlands and (b) Coventry.

NHS England is responsible for commissioning breast screening services to meet programme standards including coverage. They are committed to improving coverage and reducing variation between all age groups and catchment areas.

The National Service specification for breast screening requires providers to have systems in place to ensure women who do not respond to the invitation to screen are provided with an opportunity not to miss screening. The efforts to increase the uptake include: reminders, second timed appointments, ensuring that women are invited every three years, and tailored information for women with learning difficulties.

Further information is available here:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/service-spec-24.pdf