Vol. 503 No. 4
139 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the procedures in place to ensure that all smear tests carried out in the Southern Health Board region have followed the correct test procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10537/99]
My Department has been in touch with each acute hospital in the Southern Health Board region and each has confirmed that it has test procedures in place for cervical screening. These procedures for routine cytology include screening by a cytotechnician; a rapid re-screen of slides by a second technician; referral of all positive or suggested abnormal smears to a pathologist for a final report and double screening of smears which give rise to any clinical suspicion.
