asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that cervical smear screening tests are available free of charge to all women at local health centres, as stated in his Department's recently published summary of health services; and if he will explain therefore the reason the service is not available in any of the health centres in the Dún Laoghaire community care area.
Written Answers. - Cervical Smear Tests.
85.
Cervical smear tests are available nationally through health centres, maternity hospitals on an outpatient basis and through general practitioners. The level of demand for this service varies significantly from area to area; in areas where demand is low the service is organised on a regular review basis while in areas where demand is high a more structured approach is taken.
In the case of Dún Loaghaire the former is the case and I am assured that the director of community care is satisfied that the present arrangements are adequate to meet the existing level of demand. This is, of course under constant check by the EHB and the Department.
At present the service is delivered in Dún Laoghaire by the local general practitioners and by two voluntary women's clinics. For those wishing to attend at a health centre an appropriate referral will be made from their local health centre to one operating regular cytology clinics.
In general while the methods of delivering this service may vary from area to area I am satisfied that a cervical smear test can be readily obtained by persons living in Dún Laoghaire. In the case of any individual difficulty being faced by any women in the area my Department will immediately consult with the director of community care to ensure the full delivery of this service.