Vol. 548 No. 5
246 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to delays of up to four months in obtaining the results of smear tests; his plans to make extra resources available to the health authorities to reduce this delay and the consequent anxiety and lost opportunity for care which it creates. [5406/02]
My Department is currently in the process of compiling up-to-date national data on the turnaround times for cervical smear test results. Where cervical smears are marked urgent, information points to results becoming available within periods ranging from a matter of days to a fortnight. I am concerned by the long delay experienced by some women waiting for a smear test result. I assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to facilitating a reduction in these waiting times. To this end additional funding has been and continues to be provided for the development of cervical cytology laboratories. In 2001, additional funding in the region of €3.4 million was provided for cervical screening services, including the implementation of phase one of the national cervical screening programme in the Mid-Western Health Board and the development of cervical cytology laboratories in terms of additional staffing, equipment and the introduction of new technology. This year, an additional €3.2 million has been provided to continue with these initiatives. Under the national health strategy, a commitment has been given to extend the programme to the rest of the country. This is a major undertaking with significant logistical and resource implications. The lessons learned from phase one will facilitate the process of the roll out of the programme. A task force is currently examining the feasibility and implications of the extension of the programme.
