Dr. Denis McCauley:

On the Senator's first question regarding the potential outcomes, I agree with the previous speaker in that it is too early to say. The figures indicate that 60% fewer bowel screening tests were done last year. That amounts to 75,000 tests. With a positivity rate of 6%, 450 positive cases were not captured. Of those, 10% would have cancer. There are probably 45 people with bowel cancer whose diagnosis is delayed for a year. Taking each of the other sectors into account, the figure goes up. It will be in the next few years that the outcome of delayed diagnosis will be known. It is too early to say now. That is why it is important that we accelerate forward.

With regard to the vaccinations, there are two points to be made. The vast majority in cohort 7 have had their first vaccine but not their second. With regard to the HPV vaccine, I agree there has been a delay requiring acceleration. The entire HPV programme has worked very well because it has been school-based. The educational part has been excellent. If there is a delay, we should consider reasons for proceeding in the way I describe. Historically, the vaccination was done in general practice but we realised it was better done in the schools. That is still the best model.