Vol. 507 No. 4
137 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide an up to date report on progress in relation to the failure of the cervical smear testing system in the North-Western Health Board in view of the concerns expressed by women living in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17071/99]
I am advised by the North-Western Health Board that the 68 women who were identified with abnormal smear results have been contacted by the board and have received satisfactory and appropriate medical follow-up. The chief executive officer established an independent investigation into the incident and this investigation is in hand.
The board advises that at present the smear testing service for the region is carried out at Sligo General Hospital and the current waiting period for results is four weeks.
