Mobile screening units could be rolled out to tackle NHS backlog

Mobile screening units could be deployed across Scotland to try to tackle the NHS backlog, its chief executive has said.

John Connaghan told Holyrood’s health committee yesterday that NHS Scotland is considering using mobile diagnostic services, such as CT scans, with health boards asked to re-establish screening services by the end of next month.

Health secretary Jeane Freeman confirmed regular screening services would resume “very soon” as part of the gradual reopening of the NHS, but it needed to keep spare capacity in case of a second wave of coronavirus. She also said most NHS staff were “physically and emotionally exhausted” from dealing with the pandemic and former workers who had returned on a temporary basis could be asked to stay longer as a result.

Asked about diagnostic services, Mr Connaghan said the health service was giving “active consideration” to whether it could “source and deploy some mobile units across Scotland to bring the service to patients”.

“We have asked boards to respond on the basis of reestablishing urgent services – and that includes diagnostics – for the end of July,” Mr Connaghan said.

“That’s the first phase of reestablishing those services for the NHS in Scotland.

“Our next phase, which will be from the end of July right through to the end of the financial year in March 2021, is really much more important now in terms of tackling what backlog is there.”

Giving evidence to the committee, Ms Freeman said resuming cancer screening services was a “priority area” for the Scottish Government, describing previously paused breast screening as the “main challenge”.