Free repeat smear test ends today But cancer fight goes on after scandal
FREE repeat smear tests for women concerned about previous results after the Cervicalcheck scandal will no longer be available after today.
And the next step in eradicating the cancer is to implement HPV testing, a spokeswoman for the Health Minister said yesterday.
When the scandal broke in April, Simon Harris announced any woman with concerns about her previous results could get a free consultation and smear test.
The HSE has sent information to GPS to remind them of the end date and thanked them for the support they provided to women.
Minister Harris was recently criticised by former boss Tony O’brien – who resigned in May amidst the debacle – for offering the repeat smear tests to women.
Mr O’brien told the Sunday Business Post: “I would have hoped he’d have been able to show more courage in the face of a difficult political and media onslaught.”
But a spokeswoman for Mr Harris
YESTERDAY
defended his decision to offer people a repeat test, saying he did so in response to concerns expressed by a large number of women contacting the helpline.
One good thing to come out of the scandal is the number of women presenting for their routine smear tests has increased, the spokeswoman added. Under the Cervicalcheck programme, women aged between 25 and 60 are eligible for free testing every three years. Even campaigner Vicky Phelan, whose smear tests results were misread, has encourage women to visit their doctor and be aware of the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer.
And while free repeat testing may be finishing today, the fight against this and all cancers continues. Funding has now been allocated for the provision of HPV testing and this is due to be rolled out in the New Year.
The spokeswoman added: “The eradication of cervical cancer has to be the goal and HPV testing is the first step.”
Eradication of cervical cancer has to be goal & HPV testing is first step SPOKESWOMAN