Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 September 2018
170. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if future contracts or procurement arrangements with a provider for CervicalCheck services will place the emphasis on awarding such contracts on criteria other than costs on foot of the Scally report; and if he will instruct the HSE to examine the workplace conditions, qualifications and workload of such screeners or examiners of slides. [38946/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 12 September, the Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck programme, led by Dr Gabriel Scally, was published on the website of my Department following the Government meeting.
Dr Scally has emphasised in his Report that the continuation of cervical screening in the coming months is of crucial importance. In that context, I very much welcome the fact that he has found no reason why the existing contracts for laboratory services should not continue until the new HPV testing regime is introduced. The Report provides very welcome reassurance in regard to the quality management processes in place in the laboratories currently contracted by CervicalCheck.
The Report includes fifty recommendations, many relating to the laboratories and approach to procurement. The Government has committed to implementing these in full. In particular, Recommendation 22 sets out that the procurement approach should maintain a balanced focus on qualitative factors, supplier experience, and innovation, alongside cost considerations and this will be implemented.
More broadly, the recommendations encompass proactive contract governance, measures to test performance and revision of programme standards. I am confident that the full implementation of the recommendations will ensure continuation of an effective, high quality service.
