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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 19 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 5

Written Answers. - Cancer Screening Programme.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

78 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the roll out of the cervical cancer screening service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27573/03]

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 74,000 women in the 25 to 60 age group free of charge at five year intervals.

In regard to the roll out of the programme, under the national health strategy, a commitment has been given to its full extension to the rest of the country. Planning and organising the national programme comprises a major undertaking that requires careful consideration involving significant logistical and resource implications. The Health Boards Executive, HeBE, 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 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.

The evaluation of phase one, which comprises an integrated evaluation and planning approach, is currently under way. The retrospective analysis is being linked closely to establishing best practice and emerging international thinking on cervical screening and it is intended that this will inform the development of a high quality cervical screening model for Ireland. The evaluation dimensions of the review include: the overall approach to be taken by the national programme in the context of best practice elsewhere; quality assurance arrangements; standard operating procedures; governance arrangements; business model and organisational arrangements; programme screening policies; a population register; risk analysis and payment arrangements. It is expected that this evaluation of phase one will be completed early in 2004. A separate study to review the functioning of the programme in terms of its women's charter is also under way and will, likewise, be completed in 2004.
In regard to policy development, I am advised that the subgroup established by HeBE is currently preparing a series of policy proposals to be adopted by the programme. These policy proposals will address a wide range of issues including: the priority target groups to be reached by the programme; the most appropriate screening intervals; laboratory accreditation; the use of liquid based cytology; information systems; HPV immunisation; and the development of population registers.
The evaluation of phase one is a major part of the planning process for the national programme and once it is completed HeBE has advised that it will be in a position to prepare a draft roll out plan. Furthermore, governance structures for the full national programme are also currently being considered. A final decision on structures will be taken in the context of the evaluation report and roll out plan.
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