I propose to take Questions Nos. 300, 304 and 320 together.
The National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) is responsible for the implementation of CervicalCheck, the National Cervical Screening Programme. Colposcopy services are an integral part of a population based screening programme. Of the expected 300,000 women to be screened annually, approximately 2-5% will require access to colposcopy services. Women that have precancerous cell changes detected by their smear test are referred for colposcopy. The NCSS is making a significant investment in colposcopy services to enhance the service delivered to women and ensure timely access to a quality assured, standardised colposcopy service for those women that require further investigation.
The NCSS has identified eleven colposcopy services to initially support CervicalCheck. This does not necessarily preclude the inclusion of other colposcopy clinics in the future. The colposcopy service at Letterkenny General has not been identified for initial referrals of women. However, in the interim the service will continue to provide colposcopy services to women already attending or awaiting colposcopy. Key to quality colposcopy service provision is to ensure that as part of the Programme women can access colposcopy services within international best practice timeframes, adherence to quality assured clinical practice and the achievement of best clinical outcomes for women. The feasibility and provision of additional colposcopy services to women in the North West is also being examined. The NCSS is working with Letterkenny General Hospital and the question of Letterkenny's future participation in the screening programme's colposcopy service will be considered in this context.