Local campaigner calls for breast cancer screening legislation

Women aged between 50 and 70 across the UK are offered breast cancer screening every three years but there is no UK legislation to give time off for employees to attend the appointments.

Julie Grabham, a campaigner and HR professional from Carmarthenshire, said: “We are so fortunate to have access to free breast screening appointments in the UK for women between the ages of 50-70. Yet, there is no legislation to force employers to give paid time off work for these life-saving screenings, that has to change, we have to remove the workplace lottery and support all eligible working women to attend screenings.

“We know that early detection of cancer, not only increases the chances of full recovery, but also reduces the burden on the NHS, but the possibility of less invasive treatment over a shorter time period.

“A routine breast screening appointment saved my life and by joining the #JGHRPledge and supporting this change to legislation, you can help me make a difference to the fight against breast cancer.”

Carmarthen East & Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards recently met with Ms Grabham to discuss the difficulties employees can face when attending routine breast cancer screening appointments. Mr Edwards said: “It seems short sighted for governments to introduce this positive health policy without employment law to back it up. Whilst health is a devolved policy field, employment rights are reserved to Westminster.

“It can therefore be argued that Westminster employment law is undermining Welsh public health strategies. As there is no right for paid leave to attend these vital screening appointments, some patients do not turn up.

“Missed appointments not only creates waste in the system but potentially endangers the personal wellbeing of the person missing the screening appointment.

“I fully support the #JGHRPledge and will be putting an early day motion forward when Parliament returns after recess.”