Vol. 560 No. 1
752 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the average waiting time at all of the State's cytology laboratories for the results of cervical smear tests; the steps he is taking to speed up the processing of results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2169/03]
The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. My Department has therefore written to the chief executive officers of the health boards and the regional chief executive of the Eastern Regional Health Authority asking for a report on the issue. This information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is received.
I should point out that I am committed to facilitating boards in achieving a reduction in the waiting times for cervical smear test results. In this regard, my Department has, over the last few years, allocated additional funding to provide for the establishment of new posts, purchase of new equipment and the introduction of new technology in the cervical cytology laboratories. In 2003, an extra €1.4 million has been provided to assist ongoing developments in the cervical cytology and colposcopy services.
I recently approved the piloting by the phase one cervical screening programme of a proposed contingency plan to assist in overcoming capacity problems in the cervical cytology laboratories. This plan involves the contracting out of cervical smears to an external laboratory subject to compliance with the requirements set out in the 1999 document, Quality Assurance Guidelines for the Irish National Cervical Screening Programme. I am advised that arrangements for the pilot are at an advanced stage.
