Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
443. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the proposed timeline for the audit of the 3,000 tests that was due to be completed; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32017/18]
View answer520. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the cases of cervical cancer which were forwarded to CervicalCheck by the National Cancer Registry; the number of women in this cohort; and when the smear history of these women will be audited. [32373/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 443 and 520 together.
The International Clinical Expert Review Panel led by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) will review the results of screening tests of all women who have developed cervical cancer who participated in the screening programme since it was established. This comprises approximately 1,850 women from within the overall cohort of 1,482 women diagnosed since 2008 who were notified to CervicalCheck and a further 1,630 women identified by the National Cancer Registry. The review will provide independent clinical assurance to women about the timing of their diagnosis, and any issues relating to their treatment and outcome.
The terms of reference and scope of the review have been agreed and the preparatory phase of the review is underway in line with the terms of reference. The Department of Health is committed to continuing to support and facilitate the RCOG and the HSE in progressing this review as expediently as possible, and to do so in a way that ensures quality, comprehensiveness and integrity of the results.
