Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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495. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a cervical smear test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6979/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Smear test samples must be sent to the laboratory and made into slides within six weeks of the smear test date. After six weeks, the sample is deemed expired and cannot be processed. Although every effort is made to avoid these situations from happening, it is inevitable that cervical screening programmes will sometimes encounter these issues; in some cases, the increased volume of smear tests in 2018 resulted in a delay transferring samples to slides.

However, in the period April to December 2018, a proportion of overall cervical screening samples were not transferred to slides within the six-week timeframe. Repeat testing was required in 550 cases or 0.25% of total samples. This compares with a rate of 0.23% for the same period in 2017. In line with normal practice where this occurs, CervicalCheck contacted these women, and their GPs, to inform them of this issue and to invite them to attend a repeat smear test in three months’ time (repeat tests can only be carried out three months after the last test to allow time for cells to grow back).

The Deputy will be aware of the increase in the volume of smear tests in 2018. This followed on from a period of significant concern for women. This includes women who have availed of out of cycle tests, following my request to CervicalCheck to make the necessary arrangements to enable them to do so without charge where their GP considered they should have a further test as part of their reassurance. I am advised it also includes a greater number of women presenting for scheduled screening. This increased level of engagement with the programme is welcome.

However, the increased demand has undoubtedly put immense pressure on lab capacity and turnaround times. This is a priority concern for my Department and the HSE. The HSE is currently developing a capacity plan to take account of available capacity and expected demand, with the aim of bringing the programme into stabilisation this year.

The development time for cervical cancer is between ten and fifteen years, so it is important that women of screening age attend for cervical screening each time they are invited to participate. The HSE has advised that in this context, a delay in the return of cervical screening results, whilst undesirable, is not necessarily dangerous and poses a very low risk to women.