27 June 2023 , 09:40
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Susanna Reid told Good Morning Britain viewers about her difficulties booking a breast screening appointment after admitting Sarah, Duchess of York's shock cancer diagnosis was a "wake-up call".
Susanna told co-host Ed Balls: "Yesterday I admitted that because I had received an invitation to a mammogram rather than a mammogram appointment I had done, what unfortunately 12,000 other women in London had done and not gone ahead and booked an appointment."
Ed pointed out the importance of screenings because the Duchess of York has revealed that her screening led to her cancer diagnosis and subsequent operation, with a spokesperson for the royal confirming she is now resting at home.
"My excuse was, I just didn't get around to it and so yesterday, I got around to it," Susanna remarked before explaining she endured "huddles" to book.
Susanna has now booked a screening (ITV)"So firstly, I went online and looked up where the breast screening services are in my area on the NHS website and rang the number to be told, 'I'm really sorry, this isn't the number to ring for your breast screening.'"
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Ed questioned whether this could "put people off" and Susanna added: "That's a hurdle, isn't it?"
"I said, 'Well, the number is on the website.' And the lovely woman said, 'Oh, I'll pass that to my manager,'" Susanna explained before adding she was given another number to ring.
She was then given an appointment at a hospital "far away" from the presenter's home so asked for a closer one but was told "your nearer one is actually outside your NHS area, so I'll have to pass you on to another number".
Susanna was then told by her closest hospital she had to receive a letter for an appointment rather than have it scheduled over the phone.
Susanna explained she faced 'hurdles' during the booking process (ITV)She joked to Ed: "You're losing interest already so you can see why people [do lose interest]."
Susanna was told she should receive an appointment in six weeks before adding: "I think I've got an appointment but of course I [might not] have an appointment at a convenient time."
"Anyway, all I'm saying is it's straightforward enough, just a couple of hurdles."
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*Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV