Vol. 411 No. 1
515 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the working party set up on smear testing in view of the considerable confusion which now exists as to whether patients should have to pay for the vital service.
Cervical screening is available to all women through their general practitioners, family planning clinics, maternity and some other hospitals and special clinics organised by health boards. The service at the special clinics organised by health boards is available to all women free of charge.
As far as medical card holders are concerned, those who require a cervical smear test as part of their medical treatment would be entitled to have the smear taken by their general practitioner free of charge.
Under the Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations, 1987, women undergoing cervical smear testing are liable for the £10 out-patient charge in respect of the hospital laboratory test. Exemptions under the regulations include medical card holders and women receiving services in respect of motherhood.
