Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 November 2018
446. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address matters (details supplied) regarding the signing of a contract with a laboratory to examine cervical smears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47134/18]
View answerThe issues the Deputy is raising emerged at the outset of issues relating to CervicalCheck. Many women were very concerned and it was vital to examine the facts. That is why the Scoping Inquiry was established, led by Dr Gabriel Scally as an independent expert. The Terms of Reference of the Scoping Inquiry were agreed following cross party engagement and included an examination of the tendering, contracting, operation, conflict of interest arrangements, performance information and performance management, accreditation and quality assurance of contracted cytology laboratory services by CervicalCheck from initiation of the programme.
Dr Scally provided the Final Report of his Scoping Inquiry in September. His report provided welcome reassurance about the laboratories currently contracted by Cervical Check. He is satisfied with the quality management processes in these labs.
It is very important to say that Dr Scally confirmed that he found no reason why the existing contracts for laboratory services should not continue until the new HPV regime is introduced. He also stated that continuation of screening in the coming months is of crucial importance. The Government fully agrees with this - screening saves lives. CervicalCheck has been successful in reducing cervical cancer rates in Ireland. As stated in the Scally report, the lifetime risk of a woman getting cervical cancer was 1 in 135 in 2015, significantly lower than the lifetime risk in 2007 of 1 in 96. This represents a substantial improvement.
I therefore very much welcome the fact that Heads of Agreement have been signed between the HSE and the contracted labs to extend their contracts pending the introduction of HPV testing as the primary screening test. This allows for the continuation of the service without interruption. This follows on from detailed and complex negotiations undertaken by the HSE.
Agreement on the extension of these contracts was reached on the 13th of October. However, this is subject to formal conclusion of the contract, so it would not be appropriate to give any further detail until this process is complete.
In all of this, it is important to be very clear that false negative results are an inherent part of any cervical screening programme, and do not automatically amount to negligence. Cervical screening will not prevent all screened women from getting cervical cancer although it is important to say that since 2008, 1,200 invasive cancers have been detected by CervicalCheck. More than 50,000 women with high grade abnormalities (CIN 2 & 3) have been diagnosed and treated, considerably reducing their risk of developing cervical cancer.
