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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 2

Written Answers. - Cancer Screening Programme.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

460 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will ensure that smear testing is available free of charge to women who are medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21351/01]

Any investigative tests prescribed by a general practitioner as part of a curative treatment protocol for patients are provided free of charge for medical card patients, however preventative screening is not. Phase I of a cervical screening programme was launched in the Mid-Western Health Board area which is providing a free screening service to all females between the age of 25 and 50 years. Patients are being alerted to the existence of the scheme by the health board and invited to attend their general practitioner for the test. This scheme will eventually be available on a nationwide basis.

At present cervical smear tests are available free of charge at maternity hospital public clinics and at some local health centres.

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