Dr. Lorraine Doherty:

A woman with symptoms does not have to wait to be called for screening before she can address that issue. If a woman with symptoms like those the Deputy has described presents at a GP surgery it is not appropriate to just take a smear and send it in to the screening programme. That patient requires a referral to a gynaecology clinic for urgent clinical assessment. They are prioritised in terms of addressing their needs given their symptomatic condition.