COVID-19 guidance
Guidance to keep you safe when attending your breast screening appointment
Please DO NOT attend an appointment if you or any members of your household are suffering from any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or are self-isolating. If this applies to you, please contact us so that you can reschedule your appointment for a different time.
If you are identified as clinically extremely vulnerable and have been shielding, please contact us for further advice before attending your appointment.
When attending your appointment we have a range of measures to minimise the risk of COVID-19:
• Social distancing measures will be in place - due to this please arrive to your appointment unaccompanied and no more than 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
• There will be additional infection control procedures and clinical staff will be wearing personal protective equipment (face masks, aprons, gloves and face visor)
• Your appointment may be at a clinic that is not your usual venue
• The appointment may take longer than usual.
Wearing a face covering
In line with Government advice, please wear a face covering to your appointment.
If you are coming to hospital as a visitor or for planned outpatient care, you will be required to put on a surgical mask on entry to the hospital (or healthcare setting). The surgical mask should remain in place covering your mouth and nose for duration of your attendance in the hospital (or healthcare setting). This is for your safety and the safety of other patients and staff.
If you are wearing a cloth-based or homemade face covering you will be required to change to a surgical mask on entry to the hospital (or healthcare setting). This is in line with national NHS guidance as a surgical mask provides greater protection than cloth-based or homemade face covering.
Due to the COVID-19 response, our service will have a reduced number of appointments available. If you choose not to attend your appointment, please contact us. It is helpful for us to know why so we can help with any concerns you might have. If you still do not wish to attend, we can offer it to someone else.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has had a major impact on the NHS, including breast screening. As a result, you may have waited longer than normal for your appointment and we would like to apologise for this. We recommend that you now attend your next scheduled appointment and want to assure you that we will have a range of measures in place to help protect you from coronavirus.
Travelling to and from your appointment
When travelling to and from your appointment, please follow guidelines which include keeping a safe distance from others and travelling by car, bike or walking if possible. Where possible wash your hands regularly and use hand sanitiser. Go to www.gov.uk and search for ‘staying safe outside your home’.
What we do
Provide Breast Imaging for both the National Breast Screening Programme and the Symptomatic Breast Service
Breast Screening
The East Lancashire Breast Screening Service is part of the NHS Breast Screening Programme providing free breast screening every three years for all women within the eligible age range. We aim to provide an efficient and high quality breast screening service to all the eligible women within our region whilst maintaining a high standard of quality of care. The NHS Breast Screening Programme is subject to monitoring by the Quality Assurance Reference Centre (QARC), also ensuring rigorous quality assurance standards are maintained.
Currently our programme invites more than 89,000 women from East Lancashire during a three year period for breast screening. To enable women to be screened closer to home, breast screening is carried out at a number of sites across the region either within our mobile unit or in the base unit at Burnley General Hospital.
The aim of breast screening is to detect breast cancer at an earlier stage, often before the woman is aware of any problem. Early detection may often mean simpler and more successful treatment.
Symptomatic Breast Service
Provide a wide range of breast imaging and interventions for both men and women referred from their GP to the One Stop Breast Clinic with breast symptoms or concerns. All patients are offered an appointment within 2 weeks of GP referral they will see a breast specialist and any breast imaging required will be done on the same day. Clinics run every weekday morning except bank holidays
How to access the service
Breast Screening
Women from GP practices are invited for breast screening on a 3 yearly rolling programme. When a GP Practice is due to be screened eligible women registered with the practice will automatically receive an invitation letter.
Symptomatic Breast Service
Both men and women are referred by an ELHT breast specialist working in the One Stop or Review breast clinic
Where to find us
Breast Screening
Takes place at our base at Burnley general Hospital or on our mobile van which visits site at, Clitheroe, Haslingdon, Rawtenstall, Waterfoot, Padiham. Burnley, Blackburn, Longridge, Accrington, Darwen & Barnoldswick
Symptomatic Breast Service
Breast Imaging Department, Edith Watson Building, Area 3 Level 3, Burnley General Hospital, Casterton Ave, Burnley BB10 2PQ
Service Lead
Liz Read – Breast Imaging Manager
Key staff and contacts
Breast Screening
Appointments – 01282 805301/2/3
Symptomatic Breast Service
Appointments – 01282 805305
Breast Care Nurses - 01282 804779
Opening times
Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm
Useful links
Mobile breast screening location timetable
Useful Information
We have information leaflets in many different languages for non-english speaking women.
Women who have breast Implants can still have a mammogram but the radiographer needs to be inform beforehand.
We advise that women refrain from using talcum powder, deodorant or body lotion prior to the appointment.
Breast Screening Appointments - Book Online
‘If you have received a breast screening invitation letter and would like to book an appointment, you can use the link at the bottom of the page to book online.
To download the online appointment booking form, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader software in order to fill in the form and send.
(Please note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader Software to complete this form. You will not be able to fill in the form and send it if it is opened in your web browser)
-Breast Screening Appointment Form
1. Click on the link to open the Breast Screening Appointment form
2. When it opens, it will open in the web browser. This form will not work if it is completed whilst open in the web browser. You must click on the ‘download’ button and save the form to your device
3. Complete all the relevant fields and save it again
4. Submit the form by clicking on the E-mail link button OR attach the completed form to an E-mail and send it to breastscreening.elht@nhs.net
5. You should receive an automated reply confirming the receipt of your form if you have provided your e-mail address
6. You can alternatively print the form and post it to:
East Lancashire Breast Screening Service
Edith Watson Unit, Area 3 Level 3
Burnley Teaching Hospital
Casterton Avenue
Burnley, BB10 2PQ
7. If you have any issues, please contact the Breast Screening Office on 01282 805301
