COUNCILLOR Alex Christian wants Bathurst Regional Council to lobby for the resumption of BreastScreen services if the situation does not change before the September ordinary meeting.
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It was announced this month that BreastScreen, as part of NSW Health, had decided to temporarily suspend all routine breast screening services in NSW.
The decision was made "in response to the increasing risk posed by the COVID-19 Delta strain and a need to redeploy staff to support the pandemic response at each local health district".
BreastScreen advised people to "remain breast aware" and contact a doctor if they noticed an unusual change.
READ ALSO: COVID-19 closes BreastScreen clinics, vans
The decision to suspend breast screening services has received a lot of criticism, including from MPs, and Cr Christian has joined the calls for BreastScreen to resume.
He said was "shocked" to hear of BreastScreen's closure and couldn't believe such a step would be taken.
He now wants Bathurst council to get involved.
"It's my intention if things don't change beforehand to attempt to pass a motion in the next council meeting for council to write a letter to the Minister of Health demanding they reverse that decision," he said.
"From where I stand, it's just complete negligence and it's quite ironic. By the government wanting to try and save lives regarding COVID, they're stopping men and women from having these very important tests done that may very well cost lives down the track."
Cr Christian said that local councils should take on an advocacy role for their communities and put pressure on the state government to get BreastScreen open again.
"How long is this going to go on for? Weeks? Months? Every single day this service is suspended, it's another life at risk as far as I'm concerned," he said.
The next council meeting will be on September 15.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole also expressed concern about BreastScreen, adding that there were other services that also needed to remain open.
"Breast screening, but also other services, need to be opened to actually protect the community but also ensure to that other illnesses or conditions not related to COVID are still being looked at to keep people safe," he said.
He urged people to continue to attend medical appointments during the pandemic, including regular GP check-ups.
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