FOCUS MUST BE ON ENSURING THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN
BEING brave is not being unafraid, but feeling the fear and fighting on. And that is what Vicky Phelan and other women pulled into the cervical smear test debacle have been forced to do.
Their dignity and stoicism has set them apart as they waited, not for vindication – it is too late for that – but for some light on their predicament. Yesterday, thanks to the work of the Scally scoping inquiry, they were granted a little belated clarity.
Dr Gabriel Scally’s report is a searing and thorough rebuke of the HSE and a system that was “doomed to fail at some point”.
He said in the case of CervicalCheck, there was a deficit of clear governance and reporting lines between it, the National Screening Service, and higher management of the HSE.
Some of his revelations on the treatment of women by their doctors, according to their testimony, was quite shattering. One was told to watch the news, after inquiring where she might find out more about her situation.
The degree of condescension and indifference, whether by confusion or lack of co-ordination, was astounding. The urgent case for delivering legislation to guarantee there can no longer be any doubt about the need for disclosure and the duty of candour could not be more compelling. As Dr Scally suggests, it can no longer be left to the personal or professional judgment of doctors.
There must now be two priorities, he found. First, to make sure the women affected are given the maximum amount of support. And second, to implement the recommendations of the inquiry. Yesterday, Health Minister Simon Harris sought some comfort from the fact that the screening programme meets regulatory requirements. But neither he nor Taoiseach Leo Varadkar can come away from this story with any credit. Often the use of the term “systems failure” creates an impression that no one is really to blame.
Make no mistake, this inquiry exposes alarming failures, but as to whether anyone will be called to account is for another day.
The tragedy was compounded by Government incompetence and knee-jerk responses motivated by public reaction. A focus on what sounds good rather than on what could be delivered has added to anguish. The screening process itself may have been compromised by the stock reflex to do the popular thing with a focus on ‘spin and win’. The Taoiseach’s promise that sick women would not have to go to court hardly helped.
Some labs in the US are now demanding clarity on their indemnity. The screening service is vital, its integrity must be protected.
There is only one voice that truly matters in this terrible story and that is the one belonging to the women who have been so ill-treated. Why it happened matters less than making sure it never happens again. There is no credit for the State; but do not be surprised at attempts to claim that falling flat on your face is actually a move forwards.