Written answers

Thursday, 31 May 2018

Department of Health

Cancer Screening Programmes

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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151. To ask the Minister for Health if a report (details supplied) will be made available to all of the women and families concerned in relation to the CervicalCheck issue as soon as it is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24199/18]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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On 8 May, I set up a Scoping Inquiry to be undertaken by Dr Gabriel Scally, Professor of Public Health at the University of the West of England and the University of Bristol in relation to CervicalCheck. The Inquiry is expected to report by the end of June and, subject to its findings, the Government is committed to establishing a full Commission of Investigation. It is my intention to bring the report to Government and to publish it thereafter.

This Inquiry has broad Terms of Reference but will put particular focus on direct engagement with any woman affected or her next-of-kin, who may wish to have an input.

Of course the report will be made available. A website has been established which provides a public-facing presence for the Inquiry and will enable it to communicate progress with those interested. The website, scallyreview.ie,  went live on Wednesday 23 May.

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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152. To ask the Minister for Health the number of women that developed cervical cancer but that were not included in the CervicalCheck audit; if the number of women in this cohort has been established; and when they will be contacted in this regard [24200/18]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) has provided details of 1,631 cervical cancers diagnosed since 2008 to CervicalCheck and this data will be made available to the International Clinical Expert Review Panel which is being established.

The Review Panel will examine these 1,631 cases of invasive cervical cancer, as well as the cases included in the original CervicalCheck audit process, and identify those women who were screened by the programme. The Review will be led by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, with expert input from the British Association of Colposcopists & Cervical Pathologists.

A data matching process to determine the numbers involved is nearing completion. Arrangements for communicating with the women involved will be determined in conjunction with the Review Panel. 

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