Written answers

Tuesday, 22 May 2018

Department of Health

Cancer Screening Programmes

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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381. To ask the Minister for Health the location in which the details of the failure rates for CervicalCheck are published; the way in which women are advised by CervicalCheck of these failure rates; if previous smear tests carried out in 2014 and 2017 on a person (details supplied) can be retested; if the person must have another smear test carried out; the arrangements in place for carrying out new smear tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22229/18]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The clinical advice from the HSE and the Department of Health is that there is no evidence that the clinical and technical aspects of CervicalCheck have performed outside or below international standards or the quality guidelines set for the programme.

On 8 May, I established a Scoping Inquiry which is being undertaken by Dr Gabriel Scally in order to ascertain as quickly as possible the full facts of the situation and to examine all aspects of the CervicalCheck programme.

I have also appointed an Independent Clinical Expert Review Panel led by The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. 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. This will review their screening, cytological and clinical histories and undertake a re-examination of their cytology tests.

I confirm that any woman who has previously had a CervicalCheck smear test, and who following consultation with her GP determines that she wishes to have a further test, may do so without charge.

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