Cancer Screening Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2007

Tuesday, 20 February 2007

Questions (70, 71, 72, 73)

Phil Hogan

Question:

126 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to introduce routine screening to detect cervical cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6189/07]

Joe Costello

Question:

130 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm reports of 30,000 backlogged smear tests waiting to be examined here and reports that these backlogged tests are to be sent to Dallas, Texas to be processed; her views on plans for a national cervical cancer screening programme and that without the means to process tests a national programme is meaningless; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6269/07]

Shane McEntee

Question:

135 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people waiting for cervical smear tests in each hospital; the waiting time for results of cervical smear tests in each hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6243/07]

Shane McEntee

Question:

144 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to ensure the rapid turnaround of cervical smear testing results; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6244/07]

Written answers

Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 126, 130, 135 and 144 together.

An effective national cervical screening programme will result in a substantial reduction in the incidence of cervical cancer. It is my objective to have such a programme rolled out, beginning late this year, based on an affordable model. For that purpose, on 1 January 2007, I established a National Cancer Screening Service which amalgamates BreastCheck and the Irish Cervical Screening Programme.

The total allocation to the new Service is €33m; this is a 71% increase on the 2006 allocation to the Programmes. This includes additional funding of €5m for 2007 to the Service to commence roll out of the Cervical Screening Programme. Significant preparatory work is well underway involving the introduction of new and improved cervical tests, improved quality assurance training and the preparation of a national population register. The plan is to have cervical screening managed as a national call/recall programme via effective governance structures that provide overall leadership and direction, in terms of quality assurance, accountability and value for money. All elements of the programme, call/recall, smear taking, laboratories, colposcopy and treatment services will be quality assured, organised and managed to deliver a single integrated service.

I am aware of reports of delays in obtaining results of cervical smears. These delays have not arisen under the Irish Cervical Screening Programme but relate to smears referred by General Practitioners to hospital laboratories, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. The HSE has informed my Department that it has reviewed hospital services, including cytology, and is planning on the basis of a 4 week turnaround time in reporting. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the issues raised.