Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Every year in Ireland around 290 women get cervical cancer. Almost 90 of those women die from it. In women aged from 25 to 39 years cervical cancer is the second most common cause of death due to cancer. It is the responsibility of individuals, families, communities and the State to do everything possible to drive this number down. This week is European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week and an important week to highlight that cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect from cervical cancer. Recognising the importance of this protective measure, the State provides free, regular cervical screening tests to women aged between 25 and 65. I, like thousands of others in Ireland, am used to receiving letter informing me that my screening is due. I cannot emphasise how important it is to make this appointment. We are all busy and rushing around but this screening is a vital part of health care.

When discussing this, it is important to acknowledge the CervicalCheck scandal. The tragic death of Vicky Phelan is a symbol of this massive and unforgivable State failure. Her dedication and unyielding spirit brought this scandal to light. We now know that 206 women had developed cervical cancer after having a misdiagnosed CervicalCheck smear test. Of these, 106 were not informed of the initial incorrect results. We are still feeling the impacts of this scandal. While I strongly disagree with the Government's handling of much of this matter, including the adversarial tribunal, the important thing for us a public representatives now is to highlight the reforms of the system and the absolute necessity of regular screening.

There has been reform of the cervical screening programme because of Vicky Phelan and many other women who became involved in the CervicalCheck issue. In Dr. Gabriel Scally's final review of the implementation of changes to the CervicalCheck screening programme, he said that women can have confidence in and should take full advantage of the cervical screening programme. It has saved many women's lives and will continue to do so.

Nonetheless, there were issues raised in the scandal that need to be addressed. Open disclosures are crucial to help prevent the likes of the CervicalCheck scandal in the future. The Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill 2019 is the main legislative reform to change the culture of the health service through a system of mandatory open disclosure of serious patient safety incidents. However, that Bill is moving disgracefully slowly given its significance. It was introduced in 2019 under the previous Government and there was a nine month delay between Committee Stage and Report Stage. This legislation needs to be progressed. The Bill needs to be prioritised and advanced immediately.

The other major issue which goes to the heart of the CervicalCheck scandal is the commitment for a national screening laboratory. The HSE response to the final Scally review notes that this lab has been commissioned, however there is long delay for it to be completed. Screenings are still being sent to the United States for analysis and while we are assured by experts that this is an effective and reliable system there is still the Government commitment and the public desire for a national cervical screening laboratory, fully staffed with appropriate medics and scientists. This is essential. Will the Minister of State provide an update on this important matter? Although there are outstanding issues, from the CervicalCheck scandal it essential that all public representatives align and advocate for everyone to avail of these really important screening processes.

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