Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 2

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Seán Haughey

Question:

255 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children the length of time it takes for a woman to get the results of a smear test from the RCSI, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that even cases marked urgent take much longer than two weeks; if he will intervene to improve this situation and establish the position regarding two cases (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7610/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I am advised by the Eastern Regional Health Authority that the average time it takes from the receipt of a smear in the RCSI laboratory to the issuing of a report is 13 weeks. The ERHA further advises that urgent requests are at all times given priority treatment and that the average time taken from the arrival of an urgent smear in the laboratory to the issuing of a report is generally less than two weeks.

If a smear requires the expert attention of pathologists, the processing of smears may take longer, to ensure that the patient receives the benefit of the opinion of a number of pathologists. The authority has stated that the RCSI laboratory receives an average of 40 to 50 smear requests marked urgent per week. Unfortunately the prioritising of so many smears can delay the screening of routine smears.

In regard to the two individual cases mentioned by the Deputy, I have arranged for the information to be forwarded separately to the Deputy.

The ERHA has stated that huge attempts are being made by the RCSI to recruit extra staff and that a national training programme is operated by the RCSI to try and increase the number of cytology technicians. The Deputy will be aware that 63% of all smears nationally are analysed within the eastern region and this level of demand puts increased pressure on turnaround times and staffing. Additional funding has been provided by my Department in 2001 and 2002 to the ERHA to fund the introduction of liquid-based technology in the processing of cervical cytology smears, the purchase of additional equipment and to employ extra staff. It is intended that the additional staff and improved technology will result in an increased capacity for processing smears for the region in the medium to long term.