Liz McManus
Question:85 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the reasons for the delay in the cervical screening pilot programme; his plans to deal with the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28927/00]
Written Answers. - Cancer Screening Programme.
Phase 1 of the national cervical screening programme in the Mid-Western Health Board was launched in mid-October 2000. Since the programme started, the board has advised that work is proceeding according to plan. The following represents the progress to date.
The programme is capturing opportunistic smears whereby women attend their GP for a free smear and the GPs who are registered and contracted to the programme are receiving payment. There are 213 GPs and 128 practice nurses registered with the programme to date. The training programme for smeartakers is due to commence next week. The distribution of free smear kits, disposal speculae, forms, literature display units and information packs to GPs has been completed.
The phase 1 promotions officer has extended the information available on the programme's website. In addition, the information helpline, on-line registration and self-registration are being availed of by women in the region to assist in ensuring the accuracy of the baseline register of names, addresses and dates of birth of women in the target age group.
The computerised baseline register is in place for some time having been created from information based on the Health Provision of Information Act, 1997. Additional software tools for validation of name matching and addresses are used by staff. To maintain confidentiality, the personal public service number is used as a unique identifier.
Given that the programme is in the early stage, it is crucial to proceed in a planned and structured way from the opportunistic manner of providing smears to the more organised approach of the programme policy. The programme's computer system is due for completion by March 2001 and in the interim an access database is in place. The call and recall system and linkages to the three laboratories and the colposcopy clinic for the first phase will be electronic with a two way transfer of information based on women's consent for this to happen.
Quality assurance is the cornerstone of the programme and standards have been set for all areas which will enhance the development of all processes involved. A quality assurance manager for the programme is due to take up post shortly.
Since the launch, the cytology laboratories at St. Luke's Hospital, Dublin, and University College Hospital, Galway, have been sending test notifications on smears received from the mid-west to the programme's office in Limerick. The test notification triggers the GP payment. At this stage, result files are also being received by the programme's office. Result letters are being sent to women by the programme's office. Women are being referred, as appropriate, to the colposcopy clinic in Limerick.