Mary Upton
Ceist:44 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the roll-out of the cervical screening service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22538/03]
Vol. 572 No. 2
44 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the roll-out of the cervical screening service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22538/03]
Phase one of the national cervical screening programme has been up and running in the Mid-Western Health Board since October 2000. Under the programme, cervical screening is being offered to approximately 67,000 women in the 25-60 age group, free of charge, at five-year intervals.
Under the national health strategy, a commitment has been given to the full extension of the programme to the rest of the country. The process of planning and organising the national programme is a major undertaking that requires careful consideration involving as it does significant logistical and resource implications. The Health Boards' Executive has initiated an examination of the feasibility and implications of a roll out of the national programme. The work currently being undertaken as part of the roll out includes the planning and undertaking of an evaluation of phase one, policy development and the establishment of national governance arrangements. This work is informed by both the experiences gained from the phase one programme and the learning derived from other international programmes and current international best practice.