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 | | Thursday, 1 November, 2001, 19:13 GMT Staff shortage shuts screening unit  Screening is suspended across south Lincolnshire A Lincolnshire hospital has suspended breast screening across the south of the county because of an acute staff shortage. Boston Pilgrim Hospital has only three radiologists on staff out of a full complement of eight. "We haven't enough radiologists to provide a service for breast screening and for acute care as well," said Rob Jones, a consultant radiologist at the hospital. The United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust is suspending the service to maintain a full service in outpatient clinics and radiology treatment.
The hospital is advertising as far away as Germany and South Africa, but it may take several months before new staff are in place. "There is a serious national shortage of radiologists full stop, so it will take some time to recruit experienced staff to fill the vacant posts," Dr Jones said. The mobile breast screening service sees about 200 people a week in south Lincolnshire, from Holbeach and Skegness in the east to Spalding in the west. Dr Jones said: "It is not something to panic about, but we do not want to deprive anyone from having a cancer diagnosed as quickly as possible. "Money is not the issue, it is the manpower. Many breast screening units around the country are hard-pressed to find staff, and one third of vacant posts are not filled. Dr Jones said he hoped there would be enough support from other radiologists in nearby areas to restart the service soon. | | See also:  Internet links: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top England stories now:  Links to more England stories are at the foot of the page. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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