NEW breast screening equipment is now benefitting patients at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has invested in the new mammography equipment following a review of its out-patient breast surgery service.

The review saw breast cancer clinics controversially suspended at Darlington and moved to Bishop Auckland General Hospital last year, leading to patient protests.

However clinicians have since decided to centralise breast cancer clinics at two sites and chose Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham.

Concerns were raised that patients in County Durham, especially those living in more rural areas, would be left with limited access to a vital service.

More than 900 people signed a petition over the decision, which was presented to the trust earlier this year by Durham county councillors Sam Zair and George Richardson, who represent Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle East respectively.

But hospital bosses have since reassured residents that breast screening will continue through the mobile breast screening service, which visits venues across the county.

Patients who do not need specialist imaging will also continue to be seen at their local hospital, where possible.

The new equipment provides a more comfortable experience for patients and uses 3D imaging, which could improve cancer detection rates.

It also allows for more complex and accurate tests to be carried out.

Lead breast surgeon Amir Bhatti said: “Our clinical recommendation was to install the new equipment at Darlington so patients requiring rapid access to breast assessment have timely access to the specialist clinical teams and imaging equipment.

“These elements are critical to ensure early diagnosis and where necessary the initiation of treatment.”

He said the new equipment is more reliable and will also act as a ‘one-stop breast clinic,’ with biopsies being taken on the day of attendance.

Janet Sedgwick, associate chief operating officer for surgery and diagnostics said: “We had planned to transfer new out-patient clinics from Bishop Auckland to Darlington from Monday, August 17.

“However, due to a significant equipment failure we have moved a week earlier. We are contacting patients who had appointments at Bishop Auckland this week to discuss alternative arrangements.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. We are, however, pleased to now be able to offer these patients access to the state of the art equipment and improved imaging.”