Women cannot be let down a second time
SURELY it is beyond obvious that the removal of personnel from any given company would have the potential to affect an agreed timetable in relation to any upcoming programmes that had been scheduled. So it should come as no surprise, therefore, that in the wake of the change of personnel at CervicalCheck, and i n the absence of its former programme manager, the scheduled rollout of the HPV test this autumn may be affected.
This, in the aftermath of the scandalous cervical cancer debacle, has been the situation after all for some weeks now. It’s up to the Government, therefore, to ensure that this does not happen, and that there is no delay whatsoever with this vital HPV programme.
Given everything that has happened in relation to CervicalCheck in recent weeks and considering the public outrage over the way in which the women of this country have been treated, the medical establishment and the Government would do well to pay attention to the mood of the people. For the message that their attitude is sending out is extremely stark: they don’t really care about the lives of our citizens.
Obviously the removal of certain personnel can have a knock-on effect but it is the job of the Government to act swiftly so that there is no adverse impact. This is why we elected them – to manage important situations on our behalf and with our best interests at heart.
If anything, instead of holding back the HPV programme, this essential initiative should be accelerated. Whatever it takes must be done in an effort to ensure that this programme gets under way – and with the utmost urgency. If leave has to be cancelled, if personnel need to be temporarily seconded, if additional funding must be found, then so be it. Nothing should delay the HPV programme.
To suggest that this life-saving strategy may now be placed on the backburner is not acceptable. The Government must forge ahead with it. To do anything less will be interpreted as exactly what it is – a downright betrayal of the women of Ireland.