Published at 13:42, Tuesday, 12 June 2012

A STATE-of-the-art breast clinic has been officially opened.

CEREMONY: Patient Elsa Bowron, pictured with interim chief executive of UHMBT Eric Morton and programme director Dr Janet Lavelle of the North Lancashire and South Cumbria Breast Screening Programme, after she officially opened the new breast screening unit at Furness General Hospital LINDSEY DICKINGS REF: 50034734B001

Campaigners have been fighting for a new unit to detect breast cancer at Furness General Hospital for several years.

In 2008, the hospital was forced to start sending symptomatic patients to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary for screening, after unsuccessful attempts to recruit consultants and radiologists.

A new £250k clinic with modern technology opened earlier this year, with symptomatic screening resuming at Furness General in May.

The centre was officially opened yesterday by patient Elsa Bowron, 72, with campaigners, dignitaries and members of the public invited to see the facilities.

Mrs Bowron, of Yarlside Road in Barrow, said the new facility would benefit women in the area.

She said: “It is very important to the town because, before, the equipment was old and if there were any problems, small or big, you had to travel all the way Lancaster which is stressful and you didn't know whether it would be good news or bad news. Now, if anyone has a problem here it will show up on the first appointment.

“I have Parkinson’s and the radiographer that did my test a month ago did very well to help me.”

Mrs Bowron’s daughter, Tracie Thompson, trained as a radiographer at FGH and now works in Australia. Her mother said she would be looking forward to seeing the new facility when she returns to the UK.

She said: “She is coming home in two weeks for a holiday and will want to have a look at the new equipment.”

Eric Morton, interim chief executive at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, said health organisations had worked together to bring the facility to Barrow.

He said: “It is great to have this facility, it is exactly what we should be looking to provide. It is as local as it can be to people and we want to provide services which cause patients as little upheaval as possible.”

Dr Janet Lavelle, Clinical Director of UHMBT’s North Lancashire and South Cumbria Breast Screening Service said the new facility would allow screening programmes to be extended.

She said: “All women now get at least one extra screening invitation in their lifetime.

“It remains important that women understand how to be ‘breast aware’, examine themselves regularly, and get in touch with their GP immediately if they have any concerns.”

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk