08/08/2019

CervicalCheck In Need Of 'Root And Branch Reform'

Ireland's CervicalCheck is in need of "root and branch reform" in light of the MacCraith Report.

Speaking this morning on foot of reports that CervicalCheck sent letters with incorrect smear test results to 400 women, Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Louise O'Reilly TD, said that the situation was "almost surreal".

She said: "The information coming to light that 400 women who were waiting six months for their smear test results were given the wrong information is really crushing for those women affected.

"Being told you are HPV negative only to then be informed that was a mistake and you are actually HPV positive is, I am sure, devastating.

"In recent months patients' groups, the public, and politicians have held their council regarding the goings on at CervicalCheck and awaited the Scally Report and the MacCraith Reports.

"Both reports were comprehensive and have laid out a number of recommendations for our cervical cancer screening programme, and these have to be immediately implemented.

"However, this latest mistake really is an indicator that something is seriously wrong with the organisation and administration of our cervical cancer screening programme and that CervicalCheck needs root and branch reform."

(MH/CM)

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