My Department is advised by the Eastern Regional Health Authority and relevant health boards that the current average waiting times for cervical screening tests are as follows:
Board
|
Urgent
|
Routine
|
ERHA
|
1-2 weeks
|
6-7 weeks
|
NEHB
|
1 week
|
4-9 weeks
|
NWHB
|
4 weeks
|
4-6 weeks
|
SHB
|
1 week
|
7-8 weeks
|
WHB
|
2 weeks
|
6 weeks
|
The number of smear tests carried out annually is approximately 230,000 and represents an increase of almost 20% in recent years. In order to meet this increased demand, additional cumulative funding of €11 million has been provided by my Department since 2002 to enhance the laboratory and colposcopy services. This funding has enabled the laboratories to employ additional personnel, purchase new equipment and to introduce new technology and thereby increase the volume of activity and improve turnaround times for results. In addition, a number of hospitals have contracted out smear test analysis to external laboratories to reduce waiting times.