Alan Shatter
Question:160 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if medical card holders can have breast screening and cervical screening undertaken under the public hospital system; and, if not, the reason therefore. [10749/99]
Written Answers. - Cancer Screening Programmes.
The general medical services scheme provides a wide-ranging treatment and curative service for medical card holders. Screening services per se, including breast screening and cervical smear testing are not currently provided by GPs under the scheme for medical card holders. However it is important to emphasise that screening which is found to be necessary, in the context of the individual patient's medical examination and clinical needs, is available under the GMS scheme.
Under the national breast screening programme, all women aged 50 to 64 years in the Eastern, North-Eastern and Midland Health Board areas are being invited to attend for a screening mammogram. For those women who require further assessment and-or treatment, these services will be available to all women, including medical card holders, within the public hospital system. Under the first phase of the national cervical screening programme, which is being developed in the Mid-Western Health Board, all women aged between 25 to 60 in the Mid-Western Health Board area will receive screening free of charge at five year intervals. It is envisaged that screening will commence early next year. Following evaluation of the first phase the programme will be rolled out to the rest of the country.