Vol. 474 No. 3
89 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health the current waiting time for the results of routine cervical smear tests; and the action, if any, he intends to take to ensure that the results of such tests are available within a reasonable time-scale. [3294/97]
90 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health his views on the four-month moratorium on routine cervical smear tests which is currently being operated by the Coombe Women's Hospital, Dublin 8. [3295/97]
91 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health the extra facilities, if any, he intends to make available to cytology departments to ensure speedy results of cervical smear tests. [3296/97]
92 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health his policy for a national cervical screening programme; the amount of money currently available for such a programme; and the timetable for implementation. [3297/97]
100 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the need to train additional cytology technicians to address the problems associated with long delays of cervical smear tests in the country's laboratories; the consideration, if any, he has given to this problem; the action, if any, he intends taking in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2872/97]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 to 92 inclusive and 100 together.
I am aware that in a small number of hospitals the waiting period for the reporting of cervical smear results is in excess of the recommended interval of one month. The Department of Health is currently addressing the need for additional posts including cytoscreeners for cytology laboratories and in addition wherever possible the time of staff employed on a part-time or sessional basis is being increased to bring about an immediate improvement in the reporting of cervical smear results. My Department is also discussing with a number of hospital authorities the capacity of their laboratories to process additional smears and the resources required. As regards the hospital to which Deputy Fitzgerald refers I regret that the hospital took this action without informing or discussing the situation with the Department of Health. The action taken by the hospital might have been avoided had they done so.
