Nicole Ryan (Sinn Fein)

I am here today to raise a matter that speaks to bodily autonomy, trauma-informed care and basic respect for women who have gone through far too much. I refer to the case of Sarah, a woman who underwent a radical hysterectomy in 2019. Her uterus, cervix, ovaries, Fallopian tubes and surrounding tissue were all removed. She has been medically confirmed not by one but by three different doctors as no longer requiring cervical screening. These include the surgeon who carried out her operation in London, her gynaecological oncologist here in Ireland and her own GP. Yet five years later, Sarah remains unable to opt out of the CervicalCheck register. She has asked repeatedly to be removed, at first providing medical grounds and documentation and later simply requesting to opt out. Despite this, the national screening service insists she undergoes yet another pelvic examination and a GP informed submission to confirm, once again, that she does not require screening. This is not only medically unnecessary but deeply traumatising. Sarah is someone who was failed by CervicalCheck in the past. She had three smears between 2016 and 2019, all of which were marked normal despite being symptomatic. Her pathology report following surgery revealed abnormal cell growth that had been entirely missed. She trusted the system once and it failed her. Now, instead of recognising the trauma that it caused, the system is forcing her to relive and all to be believed about her own body.

Why is a woman not allowed to make the decision for herself? Why is a signed declaration or existing medical evidence not enough? This policy is not rooted in patient care. It is rooted in paternalism. It reflects a broader culture of mistrust and a lack of agency for women in how their healthcare is managed. I ask for this policy to be reviewed urgently. Women who have undergone a total hysterectomy and have sufficient medical evidence must be able to opt out of the CervicalCheck register without further invasive procedures or bureaucratic barriers.