Gay Mitchell
Question:26 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the timeframe for the rollout of the cervical screening programme nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31804/04]
View answerThursday, 2 December 2004
Questions (45, 46)
Enda Kenny
Question:37 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans for a national cervical screening programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31803/04]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 37 together.
A pilot cervical screening programme commenced in October 2000 and is available to eligible women resident in Limerick, Clare and Tipperary north. Under the programme, cervical screening is being offered, free of charge, to approximately 74,000 women in the 25 to 60 age group at five year intervals.
The Health Board Executive, HeBE, commissioned an international expert in cervical screening to examine the feasibility and implications of a national rollout of a cervical screening programme. The examination included an evaluation of the pilot programme, quality assurance, laboratory capacity and organisation, and the establishment of national governance arrangements. The expert's report was submitted recently to my Department for consideration. My Department is now consulting relevant professional representative and advocacy groups on the report as an essential input into its preparation of a detailed response to the recommendations. These groups are: the Irish College of General Practitioners, An Bord Altranais, the Academy of Medical Laboratory Science, the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of the RCPI, the Faculty of Pathology of the RCPI, the Women's Health Council and the Irish Cancer Society.
Any woman, irrespective of her age or residence, who has concerns in relation to cervical cancer should contact her GP who, where appropriate, will refer her to the treatment services in her area. Appropriate treatment for women diagnosed with cervical cancer is available at major hospitals throughout the country.