Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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133. To ask the Minister for Health the timescale for completion of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology investigation into the accuracy of smear test analysis in all laboratories used by CervicalCheck; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41686/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As part of the Government’s response to the events surrounding CervicalCheck earlier this year, I commissioned an independent clinical expert panel review to examine all cases of cervical cancer in women who had a screening history through CervicalCheck. This review is being conducted by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). 

The review includes those women who have developed cervical cancer, whose diagnosis was notified to CervicalCheck or registered with the National Cancer Registry at the beginning of May 2018, and who had been screened by CervicalCheck prior to their diagnosis.

In light of the sensitivities surrounding this matter, all women whose slides could be reviewed are being contacted to ask for their consent to be included if they wish. Where the woman has, sadly, died, their next of kin are being contacted to seek consent for inclusion. The vast majority of these letters have issued, and the validation process for the remaining next of kin letters is nearing completion.

It is expected the review will take a number of months to complete.