Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 October 2004
36 Mr. McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the average length of time taken to process cervical smears in the cervical screening programme in the midwest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26233/04]
View answerMy Department is advised by the Irish cervical screening programme office that the average time for cervical screening test results in the Mid-Western Health Board region is currently six weeks.
The number of smear tests carried out nationally is approximately 230,000 annually and represents an increase of almost 20% in recent years. In order to meet this increased demand, additional cumulative funding of €11 million has been provided by my Department since 2002 to enhance the laboratory and colposcopy services. This funding has enabled the laboratories to employ additional personnel, purchase new equipment and introduce new technology and thereby increase the volume of activity. In addition, a number of hospitals have undertaken initiatives such as contracting out of smear test analysis to external laboratories. These initiatives have resulted in a considerable reduction in waiting times in laboratories throughout the country.
