FOI – 2024-000239 Mammograms in 2017 (HTML)

Date received – 19 June 2024 | Date responded – 02 August 2024

Request

I'm writing to request information based on how many people had mammograms/scans/imaging in 2017 and were not given their results of any positive findings i.e, cancer, suspected cancer or any abnormalities.

I would like to know out of how many scans performed, how many people were not informed of their results and a breakdown of how many people were notified up to a year or longer later of any findings on imaging results.

Response

I refer to your freedom of information request that we received on 19 June 2024 requesting the following information.

I'm writing to request information based on how many people had mammograms/scans/imaging in 2017 and were not given their results of any positive findings i.e, cancer, suspected cancer or any abnormalities.

I would like to know out of how many scans performed, how many people were not informed of their results and a breakdown of how many people were notified up to a year or longer later of any findings on imaging results.

Clarification received –

Please can you specify which type of scans and imaging you are referring to? By narrowing the scope of your request this will assist us. Answer: Mammograms.

Additionally, are you seeking information in relation to screening in general, a specific screening programme or in relation to patients who are being investigated for symptoms? Answer: Breast Cancer Screening for those in clinical trials and a breakdown for those who were not in a clinical trial.

You have since advised that, the information you have requested in for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, New Victoria Hospital and the Beatson Centre. Can you advise if it is only these Hospitals you require this information for? Answer: Yes.

We have now completed the search of our records and can provide you with the following information:

Under section 17 of the Freedom of Information Scotland Act, 2002 (FOISA), an organisation does not have to provide that information if it does not hold it. NSS does not hold any information relating to the number of mammograms that took place in 2017 at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, New Victoria Hospital or the Beatson Centre as this relates to the pathway for the management of symptomatic patients which is overseen by individual Territorial Health Boards rather than the National Breast Screening Programme.

Under Section 17 of FOISA, an organisation does not have to provide that information if it does not hold it. NSS does not hold any information relating to clinical trials nor do we hold any details of the clinical consultations or provision of information to patients by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GG&C) who are the organisation responsible for the provision of clinical care to patients. We suggest you contact NHS GG&C who may be able to provide this information. They can be contacted using the following email address – foi@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.

I trust you will find the information of assistance and if you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

If you are unhappy with any aspect of how we have dealt with your request, you can make representations to us asking us to review the handling of your request.

If you require any further information, please contact Head of Information and Cyber Security, Digital and Security within 40 working days of the date of this correspondence.

Contact

Address

If after a review you are still unhappy, you also have the right to apply to the Scottish Information Commissioner, who can be contacted at Kinburn Castle, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9DS, or via their application form.

National Services Scotland (NSS) is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. You can view all FOI responses within our FOI Publications repository.