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Yvonne Jones, Opposition Health and Community Services Critic and MHA for
the District of Cartwright - L’Anse au Clair, says government must disclose
which mammography units in the province have been accredited. "Government
should publicly release the location of all accredited and non-accredited
mammography units in the province and let women decide where their tests are
done," said Jones. "Women in this province have a right to know which units
in the province are accredited and it is their right to decide whether or
not the tests they are receiving should be done on a machine and by staff
that have undergone rigorous testing.
"The Acting Minister of Health and Community Services refuses to
acknowledge this right and I am calling on him and the Minister Responsible
for the Status of Women to step in and take action. Women cannot be placed
at risk because of the refusal of this government to meet the standards
being met by other provinces.
"Regular testing and screening for breast cancer is very important for
the long-term health of women in this province. It is essential that this
government place high priority on this issue now that it has emerged as a
health services problem."
Jones says she believes this province should move towards mandatory
accreditation of mammography units as recommended. "If health care
professionals have recommended mandatory accreditation, that is the best
advice for patient care we could receive. I am calling on the Minister to
take the necessary steps to ensure health boards in this province take
action as quickly as possible to move towards accrediting all units in the
province." |