44406 (2024). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister of Health

44406 (2024). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made on the BreastScreen Aotearoa Programme?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that BreastScreen Aotearoa (BSA)'s current target is to screen 70% of the eligible population every two years. As of June 2024, coverage was at 68.8%, up from 65.2% in June 2023. I am further advised that BSA is working on the following key priorities to reach coverage targets: Rolling out a new nationwide information, communication, and technology system. Once launched in Q2 2024/2025, eligible women will be able to enroll, book, or reschedule an appointment through a personalised link that gets sent to them through email and text message when they become eligible or due for a screen. Letters (with a QR code of the personalised link) will continue to be sent out to eligible women to support them to enroll/arrange an appointment. Extending eligibility to those aged 70 to 74. Implementing selective recommendations from the BSA Workforce Development Strategy 2022-2023 Action Plan, with a focus on recruiting and retaining medical imaging technologists and radiologists.