Potentially life-saving cancer screenings cancelled after 'mindless' vandalism

Potentially life-saving appointments have been cancelled after repeated vandalism at Padiham Health Centre.

A mobile mammogram unit, used to screen patients for breast cancer, has been “repeatedly vandalised” over the last two weeks. The health centre itself has also been targeted.

Parts of the unit have also been stolen and precious funds have been used to make repairs.

Damage to mammogram unit at Padiham Health Centre (Image: Karen Riley)

Karen Riley, a clerical officer at the health centre, said: “We currently have the mobile mammogram unit at the rear car park of Padiham Health Centre.

“This is a vital and often lifesaving service and is very expensive to run and repair

“We’ve had quite a lot of vandalism over the last few months, to the building as a whole, not just the mammogram unit.

“Over the last two weeks, the tail light has been smashed. The unit has feet that come down when it’s on-site, the disks that cover the feet have been taken.

“There is a metal step that helps people access the stairs of the unit, that has been taken too.

“We also have a unit that provides water and electricity to the unit. It looks like the pipes have been kicked as water has been dripping out of it all weekend”

Karen says potentially live-saving appointments have had to be cancelled.

She said: “We had to cancel some appointments the first time [the unit was vandalised] because the unit did not have any electricity. Those appointments could have been life-saving.

“You just don’t know if that test would have found something.

“It’s just disheartening because it is an NHS building. Money should be spent on patient care, not repairs after vandalism."

Karen also talked about the “mindless” vandalism that has occurred in other parts of the health centre.

Windows have been smashed, and an intercom device was burned with cigarettes and kicked.

Damaged intercom device at Padiham Health Centre (Image: Karen Riley) She said: “We used to have a wooden bin store but the doors kept getting kicked in so that has been demolished and replaced with a metal one. It’s just mindless.”

“Please could I ask that parents of teenagers in Padiham be aware of where they are and what they are doing.”

Chief operating officer and deputy chief executive at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Sharon Gilligan, said: "It's really disappointing that our mobile mammogram unit has been vandalised.

“It's an essential facility that is helping us detect breast cancer early and unfortunately we have had to rearrange a number of breast screening appointments as a result of the damage - apologies to anyone who have been inconvenienced by this.

"Our team has worked hard to get the unit back up and running so we can continue to deliver this lifesaving service and appointments are now going ahead again.

"If anyone has any information about the vandalism, please get in touch with Lancashire Police on 111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Burnley and Padiham Police has been approached for comment.