Written Answers. - Cancer Screening Programme.
Bernard Allen
Question:
541
Mr. Allen
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if his attention has been drawn to the a recent report stating that Ireland's incidence of cervical cancer could be dramatically reduced with the introduction of a national cervical screening programme; and his plans for the development of a national service.
[12312/03]
Phase 1 of the national cervical screening programme has been up and running in the Mid-Western Health Board since October 2000. Under the programme, cervical screening is offered free of charge at five year intervals to approximately 67,000 women in the 25-60 age group.
Under the national health strategy a commitment has been given to the extension of the programme to the rest of the country. The process of planning and organising the national programme is a major undertaking with significant logistical and resource implications that require careful consideration. Following discussions with my Department on the matter, the chief executive officers of the health boards, under the auspices of the Health Boards Executive, HeBE, have initiated an examination of the feasibility and implications of a roll-out of the national programme.
In this context, I am advised that the board of HeBE has established a sub-group, chaired by Dr. Sheelah Ryan, chief executive officer of the Western Health Board, to lead the initiative. The work being undertaken as part of the roll-out includes the planning and undertaking of an evaluation of phase 1, policy development and the establishment of national governance arrangements. This work is informed by both the experiences gained from the phase 1 programme and the learning derived from other international programmes and current international best practice.
The approach being adopted by HeBE to the evaluation of phase one is an integrated evaluation and planning approach. This will ensure that retrospective analysis is linked closely to establishing best practice and emerging international thinking on cervical screening that will inform the development of a high quality cervical screening model for Ireland. The evaluation dimensions will include: the overall approach to be taken by the national programme in the context of best practice elsewhere; quality assurance arrangements; standard operating procedures; governance arrangements; a women's charter; business model and organisational arrangements; programme screening policies; a population register; risk analysis and payment arrangements. Following a number of site visits and discussions with international experts, an evaluation team is being put together. It is expected that the evaluation of phase one will be completed by autumn 2003.
Regarding policy development, I am advised that the sub-group established by HeBE is preparing a series of policy proposals to be adopted by the programme. These policy proposals will address a wide range of issues including: the priority target groups to be reached by the programme; the most appropriate screening intervals; laboratory accreditation; the use of liquid based cytology; information systems; HPV immunisation; and the development of population registers.
The evaluation of phase 1 is a major part of the planning process for the national programme. HeBE has advised that it expects to have a draft roll-out plan prepared by year end, following the evaluation. Governance structures for the full national programme are also being considered. A final decision on structures will be taken in the context of the evaluation report and roll-out plan. The question of the appointment of a director for the national programme is being considered by my Department.
