[ad_1]
Manx Care is currently running additional breast clinics to deal with the outstanding outpatient referrals received in recent weeks.
The current waiting time for initial assessment of patients referred for urgent suspected cancer is nine weeks due to workforce gaps.
Affected patients will be contacted directly by the Patient Information Centre and provided with outpatient appointment dates in the coming weeks. Appointments will be made in order of clinical priority and referral date to Noble Hospital.
During the short-term reduction in clinic capacity, Manx Care will seek to commission some short-term capacity in England, offering women who have to wait two weeks for an assessment the possibility to be assessed in England if they wish.
We understand that this can be a worrying time for patients who have not yet made their first appointment. If you feel you may have a breast problem at this time, please contact your GP. For further advice, or if you require more information/symptom advice, please contact the Breast Care Nurse on +44 1624 650194.
The Breast Care Service has regular ‘one stop’ assessment clinics (also known as ‘triple assessment’ clinics) for new referrals to the service as well as recalls for the Breast Screening Service.
The “one-stop” model provides patients with a comprehensive clinic where breast radiologists work with breast surgeons to perform breast ultrasound biopsies and other procedures, while patients are supported by specialist breast care nurses.
The main reason for the current increase in waiting times is due to vacancies in Consultant Breast Radiologists. There is a shortage of Breast Radiologists across the UK and Manx Care is recruiting aggressively to attract the right candidate to fill this role and provide high quality care. Interested and qualified candidates are currently visiting the Noble Hospital to meet the team and find out more about our services.
During this time, the Isle of Man Care Centre has arranged for a visiting consultant breast radiologist to provide a two-day service in addition to his full-time work in the North West of England.
In addition, a consultant breast radiologist will join the team one day a week from July 25 to provide initial assessments for 14-15 patients per week. Manx Care will continue to seek locum doctors who can work during normal working days to provide a more consistent service.
To ensure timely service delivery over the long term, Manx Care has recently appointed Mr Kelvin Gomez as Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, who will join the team on 16 September. With his appointment, the timeliness of breast services will be significantly improved.
Professor Partha Vaiude, Clinical Director of Cancer Services at Manx Care, said:
“It is so important to detect potential breast cancer early and our temporary staffing arrangements support our patients and the service during this challenging time. The successful recruitment and appointment of a Consultant Breast Radiologist is our top priority. We welcome Mr Gomez’s appointment as Consultant Breast Oncoplastic Surgeon to our service, which will significantly reduce waiting times for our breast service and provide long-term continuity of service and excellent care for our patients.”
Julie Stokes of the Isle of Man Breast Cancer Support Group added:
“We fully understand the anxiety patients feel when waiting for their first consultation at the Isle of Man Breast Unit, and a nine-week waiting time is unacceptable and unsustainable. We understand how difficult it is for Manx Care Centre to find a temporary breast radiologist whilst we recruit for the full-time position. We look forward to the new temporary doctor starting on July 25, which we hope will reduce waiting times in the short term and see the position filled permanently.”
[ad_2]
Source link
