Things are looking promising for Southend's struggling breast screening unit as the charity gets ready to set minimum donations for treatment.
From next week the Lady McAdden Breast Screening Unit, also known as Bust, will asking patients for minimum donations of £15 for the first time in 28 years to help meet the £350,000-a-year running costs.
The Evening Echo told of the reluctant move, in which £15 would be required for a basic consultation and £25 for a mammogram, last week.
With no direct help from the Government, and normal patient donations collecting only £100,000 bosses felt they had no choice if the unit was to continue.
General manager Linda Harrison said Bust, in Hillborough Road, Westcliff, had always relied on what individuals could donate but the donations had come nowhere near to recovering costs.
However, she said donations had improved following the announcement.
Published Wednesday January 28, 2004
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