Results 41-60 of 150 for cervical speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: In September, Government accepted all 50 of the recommendations that were set out in Dr Scally’s report into CervicalCheck, which was published on the 12th of September. I then committed to returning to Government within three months as recommended by Dr Scally with a full plan for the implementation of these recommendations. That plan was published on the 11th of December on my...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: ..., the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time. There are only three licensed HPV vaccines available in Ireland. HPV2 protects against strains 2 of HPV that cause 70% of cervical cancers, HPV4 protects against 4 strains of HPV so it protects against 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts, and HPV9 which protects against 9 strains of HPV and so can provide...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (2 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 340 and 357 together. I am informed by the State Claims Agency that, as with all claims, the Mediator is appointed by agreement between the parties in the Cervical Check claims. If the parties cannot agree a mediator, there are institutions which may make an appointment, including the Law Society of Ireland, the Mediators Institute of Ireland, the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (13 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: The increased volume of smear tests since the CervicalCheck issues arose in April 2018 has been significant, and includes women who have availed of the out of cycle tests, but also a greater number of women presenting for scheduled screening. This increased level of engagement with the programme is welcome. However, the increased demand has undoubtedly put pressure on lab capacity and...

National Cervical Screening Programme: Statements (1 May 2018)

Simon Harris: .... I was advised by the Chief Medical Officer very shortly before I came into the Chamber this evening that the work of the serious incident management team, SIMT, the team that has been based in CervicalCheck looking through all of this issue, looking through the audits and ascertaining whether women had or had not been told, had come across this. It is the situation whereby all of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (18 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: The Independent Expert Panel Review of cervical screening, to be led by the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, with expert input from the British Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, will include women who have been diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer and who had previously had smear tests through the national CervicalCheck screening programme. Some of these women have...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (28 Mar 2017)

Simon Harris: CervicalCheck, the National Cervical Cancer Screening Programme, was introduced in 2008 and offers free smear tests to women aged 25-60. The screening of women from the age of 25 is in line with international best practice. Invasive cervical cancer is extremely rare in women aged under 25, with less than 5 women in this age group being diagnosed with this condition each year. While...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (26 Jul 2017)

Simon Harris: CervicalCheck, the National Cervical Cancer Screening Programme, was introduced in 2008 and offers free smear tests to women aged 25-60. The screening of women from the age of 25 is in line with international best practice. Invasive cervical cancer is extremely rare in women aged under 25, with less than 5 women in this age group being diagnosed with this condition each year. While...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (1 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: Each year in Ireland around 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine protects against two high risk types of HPV (16 & 18) that cause 73% of all cervical cancers. Vaccinated women and girls will still be at risk from other high risk types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer and will therefore need to continue to have regular cervical smear tests. NIAC...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Harris: The 221 Patient Group Laboratory Audit Results Profile report provides information as to which laboratories carried out cervical screening tests for the women in the 221 patient group. The HSE has advised that the information in the report represents a very small subset of overall data for CervicalCheck, which has completed in excess of 3 million screening tests since 2008. As such, while...

National Cervical Screening Programme: Statements (1 May 2018)

Simon Harris: ...to continue in that vein tonight but what I was told of this evening is as Deputy Donnelly correctly outlined. I had been told, and I believe most Members of this House would have understood, that CervicalCheck was notified of all cases of cervical cancer by the national cancer registry. I have said to this House consistently that CervicalCheck has audited all cases of cervical cancer of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (12 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: I have asked the HSE to introduce HPV testing as the primary screening method for the prevention of cervical cancer as soon as possible. The HPV test is more accurate testing mechanism than liquid-based cytology, which is the current testing mechanism, and its use would result in fewer false negative results. Its introduction is in line with developments in cervical screening...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The HPV vaccine, Gardasil which was introduced in 2010, protects girls from developing cervical cancer when they are adults. It is available free of charge from the HSE for all girls in the first year of secondary school. Each year in Ireland around 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine protects against two high risk types of HPV (16 & 18) that cause 73%...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (26 Sep 2019)

Simon Harris: ...immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time. In 2009 the NIAC recommended HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination for all 12-13 year old girls to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer when they are adults. In September 2010 the HPV vaccination programme was introduced for all girls in first year of secondary school. Gardasil is the vaccine used by the HSE in...

National Cervical Screening Programme: Statements (1 May 2018)

Simon Harris: I do not have a number and am not going to give a number to the Oireachtas that could be false. I think we all had the view when we got up this morning that every case of cervical cancer in the cancer registry had been notified to CervicalCheck but that is not the case, based on information given to me before I came in here a few hours ago. I have been here since and have not been able to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (21 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: I gave approval earlier this year for a switch to HPV testing as the primary cervical screening test, with cytology as a reflex test. This change will improve the sensitivity of testing and reduce the number of false negatives arising, although it is important to be clear that false negatives will always be part of any cervical screening programme. This change in testing is a priority,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Cervical Screening Programme (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Harris: The cervical screening programme has reduced the risk of women developing cervical cancer and there was a significant downward trend in in the incidence of invasive cervical cancer between 2010 and 2015. Also, cervical cancers are being diagnosed at an earlier stage and five-year survival rates have improved. The clinical advice from the HSE and the Department of Health is clear that there...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Products (11 Dec 2018)

Simon Harris: ...of other indications for which it has received marketing authorisation. However, Pembrolizumab has not been granted a marketing authorisation by either the EMA or by HPRA for the treatment of cervical cancer and accordingly, in accordance with the 2013 Act, it cannot be assessed by HSE for reimbursement for cervical cancer, using the standard criteria. The Deputy will be aware...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (20 Sep 2017)

Simon Harris: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide and is linked to high risk Human Papilloma virus (HPV) types. In 2009 the National Immunisation Advisory Committee recommended HPV vaccination for all 12 year old girls to reduce their risk of cervical cancer and in September 2010 the HPV vaccination programme was introduced for all girls in first year of second level...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (22 May 2018)

Simon Harris: Last week I established an Independent Clinical Expert Review Panel led by The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, with expert input from the British Society of Colposcopists and Cervical Pathologists. All women who have had a previous smear(s) prior to their diagnosis of cervical cancer since September 2008 will be included in the expert review process who will review their...