Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 3 April 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health

CervicalCheck Screening Programme Update: Discussion (Resumed)

Mr. Damien McCallion:

I will ask my colleague, Dr. Henry, to respond but before I do I will make a general point. With regard to the pressure on the programme, approximately two thirds of the cases are out of cycle smear tests and one third are women who have re-engaged with the programme or new women, and this is positive. Unfortunately, in the circumstances we are in, it has created pressure. This is an important point of context with regard to overall pressure and positioning the out of cycle smears relative to the other impacts that have come on the programme as a result of the crisis. Dr. Henry will comment on the other aspects.