Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
1431. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if the contract for the analysis of the smear test results will be put out for tender; if so, when this will commence; if the original procurement guidelines will be reviewed with a view to improving them; if retests are being analysed within the original standards; and if not, if standards have been upgraded, for example, to include extra safeguards. [32881/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe outcome of a health technology assessment carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) for the National Screening Service was that the HPV test is a more accurate testing mechanism than the current liquid-based cytology, that the use of the HPV test would result in fewer false negative results, and that the use of the HPV test would result in more cancers being prevented.
I approved the switch to HPV testing as the primary screening mechanism for the CervicalCheck programme in February. Under the proposals, cytology testing will still be done on a smaller cohort as a secondary test. I have asked the HSE to implement the move to HPV testing as the primary screening method as soon as possible.
While the extent to which the HPV testing can be done in Ireland is being assessed, it is likely that a tendering process will be needed to meet at least some of the HPV testing requirement. Any decisions regarding the provision of screening laboratory services are subject to competition rules governed by HSE procurement policy and will form part of the project planning and implementation. An EU procurement process for the provision of services is planned for over the coming weeks.
All laboratories contracted by CervicalCheck must operate in line with Quality Assurance standards and requirements set out by the cervical screening programme. Each laboratory is subject to ongoing monitoring by the programme to ensure compliance with QA standards.
Every test is examined by two screeners. All screeners (including supervisory screening staff) are expected to maintain their competence through participation in proficiency testing schemes, recognised cervical cytopathology External Quality Assurance schemes and in-house training, as appropriate.
The clinical advice is that there is no evidence that the clinical and technical aspects of the programme have performed outside or below international standards or the quality guidelines set for the programme. Smear tests can produce both false positive and false negative results. However, the Scoping Inquiry and the Independent Clinical Expert Review will provide independent and international scrutiny of performance.
