Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The test for HPV should be carried out within 30 days of the sample having been given by a woman. This is the secondary test when low-grade changes are detected. The HSE is working with Quest Diagnostics, which is one of the three laboratories used by the cervical cancer screening programme, to address the situation that has been identified regarding HPV tests. Of the approximately 500,000 samples tested by Quest since 2015, the HSE has advised that some HPV tests have been performed outside of the recommended 30-day timeframe. I am assured that this issue affects a very small portion of people, approximately 1%, of the tested total. There will be cases where this means that a woman who has already had a test will be written to and requested to present for a re-test on a precautionary basis. The HSE will write to those women and their GPs next week to request that they return for a further test. It is expected that up 6,000 women will be invited to attend for a repeat test. These tests will be processed by the laboratory as a priority. The HSE has advised that all of the evidence suggests that even though the test was done outside of the 30-day window, the original results are still very reliable. Consequently, can we please try to reassure people here that there is no cause for undue concern? This is about full transparency because that is what patients should be entitled to expect. It is about correcting a mistake that should not have happened and giving women reassurance through a repeat smear test. The information I gave earlier to this House is that the HSE became aware of this issue in November. The Minister became aware of it in December, had discussions on it, has asked for reports relating to it and has not yet received a complete report on it. Consequently, the information I am giving to the House today is current.

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