Mary Upton
Question:44 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the roll-out of the cervical screening service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22538/03]
Written Answers. - Cancer Screening Programme.
Phase one 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 being offered to approximately 67,000 women in the 25-60 age group, free of charge, at five-year intervals.
Under the national health strategy, a commitment has been given to the full extension of the programme to the rest of the country. The process of planning and organising the national programme is a major undertaking that requires careful consideration involving as it does significant logistical and resource implications. The Health Boards' Executive has initiated an examination of the feasibility and implications of a roll out of the national programme. The work currently being undertaken as part of the roll out includes the planning and undertaking of an evaluation of phase one, policy development and the establishment of national governance arrangements. This work is informed by both the experiences gained from the phase one programme and the learning derived from other international programmes and current international best practice.
The evaluation of phase one, which comprises an integrated evaluation and planning approach, is currently under way. It is intended that the retrospective analysis will be linked closely to establishing best practice and emerging international thinking on cervical screening and that this 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; business model and organisational arrangements; programme screening policies; a population register; and risk analysis and payment arrangements. It is expected that this evaluation of phase one will be completed early in the new year. A separate study to review the functioning of the programme in terms of its women's charter is also planned.
In regard to policy development, I am advised that the sub group established by HeBE is currently 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.
In summary, the evaluation of phase one is a major part of the planning process for the national programme and once it is completed HeBE has advised that it will be in a position to prepare a draft roll out plan. Furthermore, governance structures for the full national programme are also currently being considered. A final decision on structures will be taken in the context of the evaluation report and roll out plan.