Dáil debates

Tuesday, 1 May 2018

National Cervical Screening Programme: Statements

 

10:25 pm

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am informed by the Department that in the US a one-year smear is recommended but that is because it does not have an organised population-based health programme like ours. Many people in the US can be screened too often. It is similar to what happened here in the bad old days before we had a population-based programme, with some people being screened too often and some not screened often enough.

I appreciate the responsible way in which the Deputy asked the question. All of the laboratories being used are accredited and no quality assurance issue has been brought to my attention on that. That is important for women who are wondering tonight where their screen will be read. We can have a broader debate about the appropriateness of where it should be read but in terms of quality assurance that is an important message.

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