Mary Harney
Ceist:9 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to offer free cervical screening to GMS patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1674/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cervical Screening.
Máirín Quill
Ceist:24 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Health if he received the report of the working group on cervical screening; if so, its recommendations; and when he will publish it. [1686/95]
(Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 24 together.
This working group, chaired by the chief medical officer of my Department, including experts from various fields, looked at all aspects of the cervical screening service to consider what further improvements could be made. I have received the group's report. As soon as I have considered the report I will make a decision on the implementation of the recommendations. The question of providing free cervical screening to women in the GMS will be considered in that context.
I am glad the Minister received the report and I look forward to the implementation of its recommendations. Does the Minister agree it is a great pity that an average of 75 women a year die from this disease in Ireland and that it is an easily treatable form of cancer? Will he assure the House he will seriously consider the recommendation that smear tests be available free on the GMS, not only for diagnostic purposes as at present but for preventatvie purposes?
(Limerick East): It is of course a tragedy that anyone dies from a disease which could be prevented and it is a particular tragedy that approximately 75 women each year die from cervical cancer. However, as in the discussion on the incidence of breast cancer, this must be put in context. It is an enormous tragedy that 8,000 people die of cancer in Ireland each year and that 75 of these die of cervical cancer. I intend to take initiatives in this area when I have studied the report, but I will not take an isolated initiative. Cancer is the main killer in this country. It is a national issue which needs a national response. In that context I will deal with the recommendations in the report on cervical cancer — I am already committed to the Eccles Programme at the Mater Hospital. These are very important issues, but they are set in the context of a wider issue which is equally important and which has not received very much attention.
Will the Minister say how many of the 75 women — this is an issue on which I have been particularly active — held medical cards and were covered by the GMS in the last four years? Will he agree that if he does as requested he would merely restore what was taken away by the Government which included the Progressive Democrats?
(Limerick East): That type of statistic is not collected I understand but I will make available to the Deputy all the information I have. This is a very important area. As I understand it, invasive cervical cancer is usually preceded by a pre-invasive stage and if it can be identified at that stage, it is treatable. That is why screening programmes are desirable at the pre-invasive stage. If the information is available in time the lives of a cohort of people can be saved. Obviously nobody takes that lightly.
When will the Minister be in a position to publish the report and implement its recommendations?
(Limerick East): I have received the report very recently and I will not tie myself to dates but the Deputy can be assured there will be no undue delay. I have asked my Department to establish a review committee to carry out an audit of facilities available to cancer treatment. As soon as the recommendations come to hand the policy will be published and we will try to get the funds to implement it.