Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue and for the manner in which she raised it. I agree wholeheartedly that it is extremely important that the work of Vicky Phelan is reflected in action in terms of legislation, in terms of the framework and architecture of the screening programme itself, insofar as it is located in Ireland, and in terms of the renewal of an audit of the screening programme. It is important to her family in particular that her advocacy continues to change things after her passing and that her legacy will be more effective and respectful treatment for the women who come after her. That is extremely important and is an issue we want to follow through on.

On the CervicalCheck programme, the ultimate goal, supported by Vicky and many involved in the 221+ group, is population-based screening, the continuation of the cervical screening programme and participation by women in that programme. Population-based screening has ensured better survival rates regarding different cancer types.

I was involved in the roll-out of BreastCheck. We did it differently insofar as it was a much slower roll-out from one region of the country to the next and took much longer. The CervicalCheck screening programme has saved thousands of lives but, as we know through the work of Vicky Phelan and her decision to ensure there would be no confidentiality, there were significant flaws within the programme. The Government wants to eliminate and eradicate cervical cancer. That is the objective.

We can achieve this through the HPV vaccination programme and an effective screening programme. The Minister recently announced the Laura Brennan HPV vaccination catch-up programme, which will be implemented by the HSE shortly.

On Dr. Scally's recommendations, I am informed that actions on all 170 recommendations are near completion or have been completed. The Minister for Health has asked Dr. Scally to conduct a final progress review of implementation. The report in that regard is expected to be submitted to the Minister shortly.

The new national cervical screening laboratory at the Coombe, which will provide enhanced capacity to meet the future needs of the national cervical screening programme will be the national base for training, education and research. The building works for the new lab were completed in October. It is expected to become operational by the end of the year. A workforce plan is in place. Recruitment for the new laboratory is an ongoing priority for the HSE, which is working with the faculty of pathology to build the required expertise. I understand that Dr. Cillian De Gascun was recently appointed as interim director of the national cervical screening laboratory. The new laboratory is designed to ultimately become CervicalCheck’s main provider of cervical screening laboratory services. The HSE is working flat out to see if that can be done before the end of the year.

In respect of the legislation, my understanding is that there was agreement among all parties on Committee Stage that on Report Stage an agreed amendment in respect of full disclosure would be brought forward. There have been many different perspectives among health professionals for a long time although many would support the duty of candour and the spirit, idea and principle of candour in the context of full disclosure to patients. I have had discussions with the Minister and he has indicated that, working with the Office of the Attorney General, we will have that amendment prior to the end of the year. Working with all parties in the House, we can bring this to a conclusion.

See this speech in context