In the aftermath of the mobile breast screening fiasco brought about by the NHS’s decision to sell off the town’s NHS Health Clinic together with its car park – which accommodated the unit – before giving any thought to a replacement, we have repeatedly been told that the local supermarkets have been approached and have refused to assist. This culminated in the response to a Freedom of Information Act Request sent to East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust: “Discussion has taken place with local supermarkets, who have been unable to support provision of a site and with two GP practices who were unable to help.”

The GP practices were unable to help because the GPs repeatedly asked the NHS decision makers if a suitable bay could be incorporated into the CVMC site – and they were ignored – so there’s no way a mobile unit could be squeezed into the already ‘under pressure’ CVMC car park.

As for the supermarkets … we know that ASDA hasn’t always been a friend to primary healthcare in SWF – having been involved (when it was run by Walmart) in the 2000 ECC lease scandal. This resulted in large sums being diverted from SWF’s healthcare budget to a private investment company based in London and it, additionally, greatly disadvantaged the South Woodham Alliance of Businesses (SWAB). I’m sure that Cllr Lisa Kelly, who has championed early diagnosis of breast cancer in SWF for many years, will have done her best to persuade the supermarket to be as public spirited as the Chelmer Village branch of ASDA which is currently hosting a state-of-the-art mobile lung cancer screening unit.

With regard to Sainsbury’s, however, I decided to approach the store again on the basis that information supplied by the ‘local NHS’ should always be taken with a large pinch of salt. I received a swift reply from the Store manager, Michelle. She wrote:

“I am not aware of the route through which enquiries have been made about providing breast screening services within the Sainsbury’s car park. I have been in post for two years and have not received any requests relating to this service during that time.

Sainsbury’s is supportive of hosting health screening services, subject to the appropriate requirements being met. I have spoken with our Estates Management team and can confirm that there are no operational concerns that would prevent such a request from being considered.

As with any third-party activity, health and safety assessments would need to be completed, and approval would be required from the Regional Director and Field Safety Manager.

Subject to the proposed dates, however, I am confident we would be able to support this service.

I understand that a customer care complaint was previously received and responded to on the basis that no record could be found of any request for the service at this store. I am unsure which health organisation was involved or which area of Sainsbury’s any previous communication may have been directed to.”

This was followed by a phone call during which she was very helpful and supportive. We will meet up when she returns from holiday to discuss the next step. So … we’re not quite there yet as, whilst Michelle has the capacity to act swiftly, the ‘local NHS’ moves at the speed of a three-toed sloth after a Valium overdose. We will, therefore, have to anticipate and parry any excuses that will be made for further delays in an attempt to bring this long running debacle to a successful conclusion ASAP.

Dr John Cormack