Varadkar’s pledge to be sensitive with cases

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar promised that outstanding legal action over the CervicalCheck scandal would be dealt with sensitively, utilising mediation where possible.

Earlier this month, the Cabinet approved a ‘comprehensive package of health and social care measures to support the 209 women, and their families, who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer and whose audit result differed from their original smear test’.

Mr Varadkar said at the time: ‘As a Government, it is our duty to make sure that we honour their bravery with action, and do all we can to restore confidence and offer help, care and assistance to those affected.

‘The fundamental rule of medicine, of public health care, should always be to put the patient first and to never do harm. I want to say to the women of Ireland, on behalf of the Government, that we are determined to find out all the facts, put things right and restore confidence in cancer screening and our health service.’

He continued: ‘Today, the Cabinet agreed a range of actions to provide care and support for all the women affected, and their families.

‘We have also agreed that all outstanding legal actions will be dealt with sensitively utilising mediation wherever possible. The Government will be strong and decisive in finding out what happened and putting changes in place to ensure it never happens again.’ Meanwhile, Health Minister Simon Harris confirmed that ‘whatever the cost’ of the ‘health and social care measures’, it ‘will be met’. The measures included a medical card for each woman affected, or their next of kin where the woman has died.