Discussions

On June 3 my doctor found a lump in my breast and put a rus on me having a mammogram  
Yesterday the diagnostics called and said they didn’t know when I’d get in as they have had no one to do mammograms  
My option is going to the Health Science Center in Winnipeg  
Anyone else find this a bit scary???

They are short staffed as everywhere in health care is. Its not just Dr's and nurses are short staffed.  
 
I called Dec of 2022 to book a mammogram, I was booked July of 2023. I received a call stating they are really short on techs and was rebooked for December of 2023.  
 
Scary - yes. I would drive to Winnipeg if given an option. The one time I found a lump they booked an ultrasound to check it and I was given an apt in relatively short period of time, but I'm sure they are short staffed there too.  
 
Good luck, Our health care system is very broken and very short staffed. Its very unfortunate.

Had mine in Brandon cancelled twice then took an appointment in Headingley which was also cancelled. 18 months had passed at this point. Took appointment in WPG within a month (they do Saturdays too) and got my test done. Advice to anyone would be take the WPG appointment.

This is a routine scan for me, so if I can figure out how, you can have my appointment, July 9 at 9 am. Otherwise, don’t hesitate to go to Winnipeg. Also, maybe let your doctor know about this.

At the breast screening clinic too wait times over a year - I thought the BGH ones were for emergency ones .  
 
My Auntie was booked routine checkup for May 2023 got canceled rebooked Aug 23 got canceled til Feb 24 that one canceled rebooked this Sept 2024.  
Same reason no staff no offers of other areas unless dr requests it.  
 
Agree with above post - inform your Dr asap  
 
So don’t wait go to Winnipeg if they can fit you in.  
 
Edited by Mac72, 2024-06-24 13:05:48

I’d almost put money on your appointment being cancelled. I don’t know anyone that has received a test in Brandon. Friends have all been cancelled and they’ve gone to Winnipeg.

Hopefully the OP’s doctor can get them in to Winnipeg soonest

I'm sorry this is happening to you. I had a mammogram booked for Dec. 2022 - rescheduled to May 2023 - rescheduled to July 2023 - rescheduled to November 2023 - rescheduled June 11, 2024.  
The staffing issue for breast screening is out of control. The mobile units should be running 24/7 to all rural areas. This would alleviate wait times at the big centres. Very scary for all women, and stressful. I hope everything turns out well for you.

You're not the only one left scrambling by the poor management at the diagnostic services at Brandon Hospital.  
 
Call your local MP and the health concern line. Lots of issues have been happening there for over a year that no one knows about unless you're either a patient or a worker.  
 
Currently they are having to pay people from out of the city double time to come work at the facility just to staff it but they are cancelling procedures weekly. Yet these techs aren't aware of the protocols so they are more there collecting $100 an hour and being a body not a worker  
 
Edited by Muppet, 2024-06-24 16:37:17

Boundary Trails may also be an option for you. I was fortunate and had my mammogram as scheduled last fall but have heard of nothing but cancellations here in Brandon ever since. Some friends have turned to mobile units and Boundary Trails to have their boobies checked. Good luck to the OP - you cannot afford to wait for our broken health care system to catch up, if it ever will.

They found something in my left breast at my mammogram earlier this month at the cancer care clinic, Brandon called and said don't know when you'll get an appointment, so I've opted to go to Health Science Center. Hopefully it doesn't take to long. Sure is scary if you have something that's serious and it's growing as we wait for an appointment.

If anyone knows high school students who are lost on what they to do after graduation, diagnostic services is a fantastic option!!!

Both currently have staffing problems, and both have rescheduled appointments. But just to clarify, there are two 'tracks' to mammograms in Brandon.  
Breast Check (this is also who runs to mobile bus, which is also short staffed), which performs routine screening mammograms. No referral is needed, and a person can phone to make their own appointment. The entrance is on the side of the nurses' residence.  
Diagnostic imaging at the hospital, which performs diagnostic mammograms (and subsequent ultrasound or biopsy if needed). A referral is needed from your primary care provider, or from Breast Check if you have an abnormal screening mammogram.

Ladies I don’t blame you for wanting/needing to go to Winnipeg for this test. BUT if we don’t speak up and raise awareness the time may come and we will be told well you have been going to Winnipeg for awhile….. keep going.  
If your doctor thinks it’s an emergency they can call and speak with the radiologist. Call your Local city council.Keep calling.. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Back in February I got a referral from my doctor. In 1.5 hours I had a Mammogram, an ultrasound, a biopsy, a clip placed in the lump and a second Mammogram. It does work when it needs to. They were amazing. If I hadn’t been able to get it dealt with that quickly I don’t know how far it would have spread. But at the same time my call to Breast Check couldn’t get me in until early October. Advocate for yourself if you have a concern. I would have a driven to Winnipeg or Winkler if I was concerned. Hope you get some results soon.

Was scheduled Dec 2023, they phoned to postpone until June 18, 2024. They are doing them but far behind. Techs come out fr Wpg to do. I was told it took the Gov't 4 months just to approve techs coming out here fr Wpg because different health region, so the wheels turn albeit slowly.

This is beyond scary and deeply concerning… Go anywhere they can get you in for a mammogram…do not wait…it could cost you your life. In spring of 2022 I found a lump on my breast, in June of 2022 had a mammogram which came back clear, no cancer … by October of 2022 had another mammogram as the lump had grown … long story short I was diagnosed with an extremely rare and agressive breast cancer … I was told by my oncologist had I waited another month to get the second mammogram I would be terminal … right now I am in remission but I should be getting constant monitoring and scans and can’t get the tests I need and want because of our mess of a health system … we need to make noise and plenty of it to get the powers that be to fix our broken system…

And call them over and over and over again. This is a provincial issue what was supposed to "fixed" with new government but it has been an ongoing issue for years and years...probably dating back to early 2000's. (I used to work in the system and did some staffing...this isn't new.) I Hope everyone gets what they need for their health but don't let your voice go unheard. Call, email, write, do what you have to so they know about the issues in BRANDON. I keep hearing about rural communities getting doctors, ER's opening (I won't get into my thoughts on the debacle of the Carberry ER and how the people in that area were snowed) etc, I never hear any announcements for Brandon. Winnipeg gets more and Brandon gets shoved on the back burner.  
Please contact the people who can make the difference. Contact your MLA or the Minister of Health's office.  
I wish everyone dealing with health issues the best of luck and healing.

I was due for my mammogram in June 2024. Breast Check sent me a letter in April telling me it was time to book an appointment.  
I could not get in to Breast Check Brandon until January 2025. There were no appointments available in any mobile units anywhere.  
The only appointment available was in Wpg so I took it.  
We drove to Breast Check across from Misericordia Hospital. The staff were wonderful and I'm really glad I went.  
I reported all this to my doctor who called it a "mammogram disaster".

I was due for routine check in January, got the letter and called. Set for November 2024, and wondered what the wait was. I don't think I have any issues, I hope!

That it takes so long to have an appointment in Brandon. If you can afford the travel, go to Winnipeg!

I was sent a reminder for my annual mammogram as I have a strong familiar trait, I was told to call back in October just to book a mobile appointment. Breast cancer still has a very high mortality rate, how is this not a priority, thank your Conservative Party for putting all your mothers, sister and beloved females at risk.

I think we need to protest at the legislature. Do You think that might help? Protests are held for everything else and not as important as this!!!

I sent an email to the Minister of Health and to the Brandon Sun asking that they investigate and report on why the delay. I encourage you to do the same. We need to bring attention to this situation. I was unaware until I read this thread and I'm sure many others aren't as well. My sister has had breast cancer twice and it is only because of early detection and treatment that she is here today.

Thank you. I know one of the Mammographers had to have surgery but told management well in advance of her surgery dates. It was poor planning on behalf of PMH not to have her shifts covered. But they were already behind before this hiccup.

It was not this bad when conservative party was in power, ever.