NSW Premier called to fix 'outrageous' Covid restriction

The NSW government is under fire for suspending breast screening services during the lockdown while allowing retailers like Bunnings Warehouse to keep trading.

BreastScreen, which is operated by Local Health Districts, has closed multiple clinics and mobile vans across the state amid the growing Covid-19 crisis in NSW.

The temporary measure has left thousands of women across the state unable to access life-saving mammograms.

Impacted women have taken to social media to express their fury, as their appointments are cancelled or postponed.

“Dear @GladysB PLEASE explain why I can go to Bunnings but I cannot get my potentially life-saving routine mammogram through Breastscreen NSW???” writer Kerri Sackville wrote on Twitter.

The post has received an overwhelming response, catching the attention of The Project Host Lisa Wilkinson.

“This is completely outrageous,” she said while sharing the post with her hundreds of thousands of followers.

“...there will be a percentage of women whose breast cancer will be caught too late because of this.”

It comes just days after Premier Gladys Berejiklian was grilled during one of her daily Covid-19 updates on why Bunnings Warehouse is open during what she describes as one of the “harshest” lockdowns the country has seen.

Opposition calls for BreastScreen services to reopen

Shadow Minister for Health Ryan Park has today written to NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard demanding breast screening facilities be given the green light to reopen.

“We have a situation where BreastScreen services are closing in NSW whilst Bunnings remain open,” he said.

“I have asked that the minister sort this situation out because we cannot afford people to delay important screening checks that can identify life threatening cancers during this time."

Mr Park queried whether staff shortages are to blame.

“If additional nurses or staff are needed, then we have to look at asking for support from other states and territories. We are constantly reminded that particularly for cancer early detection is critical to whether or not the person can fight off this deadly disease.”

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BreastScreen closure based on research

A spokesperson for BreastScreen NSW said the decision to cease mammograms was based on “recently commissioned modelling”.

That investigation aimed to quantify any potential impact of a temporary suspension of screening.

BreastScreen NSW claims the data showed that, provided women went on to screen once the program recommenced, the impact was minimal.

The statement also confirmed staffing is part of the problem.

“In response to the increasing risk posed by the COVID-19 Delta strain, as well as significant cancellations and a need to redeploy staff to support the pandemic response, districts have made the decision to close individual screening services as necessary,” the statement said.

The state-based service reassured women that the short-term suspension of screening would be “monitored closely”.

As always, we encourage women to remain breast aware and see their GP if they experience any symptoms.

“Women experiencing breast symptoms should see their GP without delay to get a referral for diagnostic testing, which is the national recommended pathway for symptomatic women.”

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