221 NOW AFFECTED IN SMEAR TEST SCANDAL
Hse reveals slides review yet to start
THE number of women affected in the Cervicalcheck controversy has risen from 209 to 221, the HSE confirmed yesterday.
The Department of Health also revealed a review of around 3,000 cervical smear slides – which was to be completed in May – is yet to start.
Outraged Labour health spokesman Alan Kelly said: “This situation is becoming more unbelievable as time goes on. We know the solicitors of Vicky Phelan and Emma Mhic Mhathuna have been able to go to court to get the slides reviewed.
“This shouldn’t be the case, women’s health is at stake, it should be a priority that these slides are reviewed.”
The vice-chair of the Public Accounts Committee added: “The review of slides can take months, so this means this information won’t be available to Dr Gabriel Scally [inquiry chairman].
“Without any clarity for when the review of slides will actually commence, it means the Scally Report will be incomplete by his August deadline.”
Health Minister Simon Harris yesterday said the independent review will begin soon.
He told RTE News: “I expect it will start reviewing slides very, very shortly, but I think it’s important they get this right. This process is about Emma Mhic Mhathuna leaves court externally validating our screening programme to make sure it’s the best.” Vicky Phelan, who settled a High Court action over her smear test results for €2.5million, took to Twitter to express her disappointment.
She said: “This is not surprising given the delay with many other aspects related to the Cervicalcheck scandal but it is very disappointing.”
There are now 28 legal cases where women claim to have been given wrong cancer diagnoses.