FURY AS SMEAR TEST HELPLINE HIT BY GLITCH
Chiefs left red-faced on day one of service
THE Government was left redfaced again over the smear test scandal when a new helpline suffered a technical glitch on opening.
Women were encouraged to call the cervical check number when it started yesterday at 9am to find out information about their results.
More than 200 women have developed cervical cancer after getting the all-clear in smear tests.
Health Minister Simon Harris tweeted that the phoneline glitch was “the last thing anyone needed”.
On the scandal, he said: “I haven’t just apologised, I’ve taken swift action.
“There will be full external review with international expertise.
“A root and branch examination of all issues.”
He later posted a message saying the glitch had been fixed.
Minister Harris, who said he has no confidence in the management of Cervical Check, has sent in a crisis team of senior medics to tackle the issue.
The team will examine files and from tomorrow contact the 206 women identified as victims of the failure.
The clinical director of Cervical Check, Professor Grainne Flannelly, said she could not be sure all of the women had been contacted, although she believed they would have been.
The Department of Health said: “For any woman who has had a Cervical Check smear test and where her GP
feels she should have a further test as part of her reassurance, Minister for Health Simon Harris has asked Cervical Check to make the necessary arrangements, including payment provision. These arrangements will be confirmed next week.”
Limerick mother-of-two Vicky Phelan was diagnosed with cancer three years after her smear test results of 2011 were incorrectly reported as clear. She now has terminal cancer.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “As Vicky said we want something good to come of her terrible experience.”
Call the Cervical Check helpline on 1800 45 45 55.
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There will be a full external review with international expertise
SIMON HARRIS ON THE SMEAR TEST SCANDAL