More than 1,900 women in Cornwall could be affected by a computer error which led to thousands of women missing breast cancer screenings, writes Richard Whitehouse, local democracy reporter.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has launched an inquiry after an IT error meant that 450,000 women aged 70 to 79 missed final breast cancer screenings.

With the incident concerning women all over the country it has been revealed that 1,943 women in Cornwall are affected.

Experts have said that the computer error in 2009 could have led to the deaths of up to 270 women.

A meeting of the board of Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT) heard that it had been drawing up a plan to tackle the issue.

Rab McEwan, chief operating officer at RCHT, said that the proposals would mean holding screenings at weekends so that those women affected can be seen if necessary.

Board member Dr John Lander asked whether there would be any financial implications and Mr McEwan said that the trust had been assured that there would be funding available to cover any related costs and that the trust would be looking to get them reimbursed in full.

The error affected women aged 70 to 79 and national reports state that 309,000 of those affected are still alive.

Letters will be sent out to those affected with those under 72 being invited for a catch-up screening and anyone aged over 72 will be given access to a helpline to decide whether a screening is appropriate.

All women who are affected should receive a letter by the end of May.

Public Health England discovered the problem after analysing data and has apologised to the women affected.

Dr Jenny Harries, deputy medical director at PHE, said: “They and their families’ wellbeing is our top priority and we are very sorry for these faults in the system.”

Health secretary Mr Hunt made a statement about the error in the House of Commons and apologised “wholeheartedly and unreservedly” for any suffering caused.

He said: “We also need to get to the bottom of precisely how many people were affected, why it happened and most importantly how we can prevent it from ever happening again.”

What to do if you’re affected:

Call the breast screening helpline number – 0800 169 2692