Minster for Health and Wicklow TD Simon Harris welcomed the supplementary report of the scopring inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme.
The report, led by Dr. Gabriel Scally, found that the number of laboratories involved in CervicalCheck work was greater than originally thought, but the use of additional laboratories did not result in a reduction of the quality of the screening provided to Irish women and there is no evidence to suggest deficiencies in screening quality in any laboratory.
Minister Harris hopes that the findings of the report can provide reassurance to Irish women that they can trust the results they receive from the CervicalCheck Programme.
“I welcome the publication of this Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry into CervicalCheck and I thank Dr Scally and his team for the comprehensive work they have done. The Inquiry has identified that the number of laboratories involved in CervicalCheck work was greater than originally thought or, indeed, than was known to CervicalCheck. Dr Scally’s recommendations in this regard have been accepted by Government and will be implemented.
“Crucially, Dr Scally is clear that use of the additional labs did not impact on the quality of the screening which was provided to Irish women and that the Inquiry has found no evidence to suggest deficiencies in screening quality in any lab. I hope that this will reassure Irish women that they can trust the results they receive from the CervicalCheck programme and that they should continue to attend for their scheduled screenings,” said Harris.
Welcoming Scally’s report that progress was made in the implementation of his recommendations in prior reports, Harris stated that the government will continue to follow recommendations to provide a world class cervical screening programme for the women of Ireland.
“Given the public health importance of a cervical screening programme that inspires trust and confidence by providing a world class service to the women of Ireland, Government’s focus will continue to be on working towards full implementation of all of Dr Scally’s recommendations,” concluded Harris.
