Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 March 2004
294 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is his intention to bring forward a new policy in respect of liquid-based cytology in view of the best practice evidence in this area and of the practice adopted in the rest of western Europe. [7502/04]
View answerCurrently, all cervical cytology laboratories within the Eastern Regional Health Authority are using liquid-based cytology. The authority has advised that approximately 70% of all cervical smears processed in the region in 2003 involved this new technology. This amounted to more than 80,000 cervical smears. The authority has added that use of liquid-based cytology will increase further in the current year.
The feasibility and implications of extending the cervical screening programme, the first phase of which is up and running in the Mid-Western Health Board's functional area, to the rest of the country are being examined by the Health Boards Executive. The work being undertaken includes a review by an external expert of this first phase of the programme which it is intended will inform the development of a high quality cervical screening model for the country. Among the issues being examined is that of the use of liquid-based cytology. It is anticipated that the review will be completed within the next two months.
