Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2018
452. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of women who are awaiting test results under the national cervical screening programme; the average length of waiting time for test results; the number of women waiting in excess of 12 weeks for results by county in tabular form; the steps being taken to address lengthy waiting periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49466/18]
View answerOn 1 May this year, I asked CervicalCheck to make the necessary arrangements to provide that any woman who has had a CervicalCheck smear test, and whose GP considers that they should have a further test, to access such a further test without charge. CervicalCheck laboratory activity has since been significantly above normal levels. This is as a result both of these out of cycle smears and increased uptake generally, and has impacted turnaround times for results of smear tests. This is a priority concern for my Department.
The HSE has advised that, currently, receipt of results of smear tests may take up to 20 weeks but that it may take longer in a small number of cases. In order to address the backlog of smear tests, the HSE advises that laboratories have agreed to undertake additional recruitment and are continuing to provide for overtime and manage annual leave. In addition, as part of ongoing negotiations with the laboratories, I am advised that the HSE is trying to source additional screening capacity, which would improve the turnaround time of results. Sourcing capacity and resources is a global challenge as countries start to move to primary HPV screening, which vastly reduces the requirement for cytologists.
This is a priority concern for my Department and the HSE, and every effort is being made to ensure that tests are processed as quickly as possible, having regard to the high standards required for testing.
In regard to the specific issues raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to him on the specific issues raised.
