Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to update the House on this important matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. Both the Minister and I are fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service. I am pleased to say that the CervicalCheck programme is back screening at pre-COVID-19 levels. Furthermore, by the end of 2021, CervicalCheck had screened the same amount of people as in any other two-year period. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the effort made by the staff in CervicalCheck, primary care services and GPs along with the laboratory services in achieving this level of activity despite the difficulties they faced. This positive situation is also testament to the women across the country who took up their screening invitations and attended for this important test. Importantly, the focus of the resumption of cancer screening services includes the management of capacity across the whole of the screening pathway, which includes follow-up assessments and treatments.

In terms of colposcopy, it is important to acknowledge the effects that Covid-19, the May 2021 cyberattack on the HSE and the December 2021 cyberattack on the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital had on these clinics. I am pleased that the latest data on colposcopy attendance, from March 2022, show that the majority of people are being seen within the programme's target timeframes. In terms of colposcopy attendance at University Hospital Limerick, the latest figures in March 2022 show that this applies here also, with 100% of urgent and high-grade referrals seen well within the set targets. There is ongoing work to continue to build capacity in the services to ensure that this remains the case, and further improve timeframes for low-grade referrals that are currently slightly outside national targets.

While it is understandable that waiting for any test results is a worrying time for anyone, it is important to emphasise the fact that colposcopy identifies abnormal cells and is not a cancer diagnosis in the first instance. In most cases, it takes between ten and 15 years for a human papillomavirus, or HPV, infection to cause abnormal cells to develop into cervical cancer. In addition, cervical cancer is a rare outcome of a HPV infection.

The Minister for Health and I want to ensure that we have world-class cancer screening programmes in which the people of Ireland can have confidence. This commitment was shown with the allocation of an additional €10 million in 2021 for cancer screening services in the HSE national service plan, and continues this year to progress with service developments. This investment represented a real dedication to improving cancer outcomes in Ireland through the early detection of disease.

The Government is committed to ensuring that Ireland has a robust cervical screening service, which will enable our progress towards the ultimate goal of eliminating cervical cancer. Importantly, CervicalCheck made the technical transition to HPV cervical screening in 2020. This means that Ireland has joined a small group of nations that employs best-in-class testing to screen their populations for cervical cancer. Ireland can look forward to a significant reduction in the incidence of cervical cancer cases over the next ten to 20 years.

The Senator mentioned that issues arise when consultants or whoever go on holidays. It is unacceptable that women must wait a little bit longer as that causes huge stress and strain.Within the HSE, with its clinical staff and consultants, there should be a system in place that would prevent these longer waiting times. If somebody goes on leave, there should be a mechanism in place. I will bring this matter back to the Minister.

The Senator raised many questions about leave, screening results and testing. If she sends me an email on those issues, I will to try to get an up-to-date answer as quickly as possible.