BREAST-screening services in Mid Devon are to be delivered by a private sector firm in a bid to cut waiting lists across the county. Health bosses across parts of Devon have announced plans to involve the independent sector to offer women more frequent breast screening, in order to meet nationwide standards for helping detect early signs of breast cancer. The Mid Devon Primary Care Trust, along with health authorities in North and East Devon and Exeter, says allowing the private sector to run its breast-screening service will ensure all women aged between 50 and 70 in the area are offered screening every three years, in accordance with national guidelines. Private company the InHealth Group is set to take over routine breast-screening with the new service likely to start from next spring. The InHealth Group plans to offer a mobile service travelling throughout the area, providing routine checks. Sharon Kearns, chief executive with East Devon Primary Care Trust, which leads the commissioning arrangements on the service said: ?Across the area, some 23,000 women a year need to be called for screening, more than the number the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital can guarantee it will see. ?It has been a difficult decision but we have been working closely with the RD&E and the independent sector to look for a solution to what has undoubtedly been a problem for women waiting to be called for screening. ?By sharing out the responsibilities in this way, all those women aged between 50 and 70 who should get routine three-yearly screenings will be offered the opportunity to do so. Those needing further investigation, or treatment, will still be in the excellent care of the RD&E. We think this is to the benefit of all.? Under the new system, the firm will offer: n A mobile service travelling throughout the area n Screening available for women both before and after usual office hours, from 8.30 in the morning and until 6 at night n Wheelchair access for disabled women on the mobile service n Digital technology, which reduces the chances of a patient being recalled for a second scan. Under the new system, routine screening will be done in the mobile unit, but the RD&E will continue to provide care for those women with a family history of breast cancer, and for those who have found a lump which their GP would like investigated. The RD&E will also continue to carry out all specialist treatment, including surgery. The three-year contract to the InHealth Group is being offered subject to the proposed service successfully meeting the stringent national quality standards for breast-screening. Neil Gilmour, chair of Mid Devon Public and Patient Involvement Forum, said: ?The Mid Devon PPI Forum very much welcome this initiative by the PCTs in Devon who have acted positively. ?Since the inception of the forum some two years ago we have raised our concerns over the unacceptable level of service provided to women across Mid Devon. ?The government guideline is for screening to be carried out every three years. The wait in Devon has been up to five years. Hopefully, this initiative will see a rapid improvement in the waiting time.?