Statement by Health Minister on cervical screening
reports
I note the publication today of two important reports on the
Southern Trust's Cervical Cytology Review and Cervical Cancers in
the Southern Trust area.
The findings set out in both reports will now be the subject of
independent expert analysis.
I expect this analysis to be completed in the New Year, after
which I will decide on the appropriate next steps.
I wish to again fully acknowledge the distress caused by this
review and the shortcomings detailed in the earlier report from
the Royal College of Pathologists. It is both deeply regrettable
and unacceptable.
It is important to emphasise the improvements in the cervical
screening programme implemented in the past year. Most
importantly, the transformational introduction of Primary HPV
testing into the cervical screening pathway has been fully
implemented. This more accurate approach to screening, together
with our HPV vaccination programme, offers the very real prospect
of drastically cutting the number of invasive cervical cancer
cases each year in NI.
Screening is intended for those who do not have symptoms.
If any woman is experiencing any unusual symptoms (such as
bleeding or pain) they should not wait for their screening
appointment but should contact their GP practice directly.
