Blunder as smear test lab gives ‘all clear’ results by mistake

WOMEN have been wrongly given the all-clear following blunders with NHS cervical cancer tests.

At least 17 patients were told results were normal when they had abnormal cells which could develop into cancer.

The mistake happened in a lab in Basildon, Essex, called Pathology First, run by Southend University Hospital and Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals.

The issues were only identified by the Screening Quality Assurance Service – the Government regulator – which said 2,500 negative samples taken between April 2016 and September 2017 needed to be retested. So far 900 samples have been retested and among these, 17 women were found to have abnormal results.

These women will need to re-take the tests and some may be found to have cancerous cells.

The total number affected is likely to rise once all the samples have been retested. The error was uncovered by Pulse magazine and GPs in the area were sent letters on Wednesday.

Robert Music, chief executive of Jo’s

‘Concern that this error happened’

Cervical Cancer Trust said: ‘It is a concern that this error has happened and led to some women incorrectly being given negative results.

‘It is imperative these women are contacted as soon as possible to ensure there are no delays in any required treatment.’

Smear tests are offered to all women aged 25 to 49 every three years and they check for abnormal cells in the cervix.

Women with abnormal cells do not necessarily have cancer but the cells could become cancerous if they are not removed.

A spokesman for the hospitals said: ‘The re-screening of 900 tests to date has identified that 17 women need to be seen again. These women have been contacted and will be invited for further assessment.’

‘We would like to reassure all women covered by this cervical screening programme that NHS England and Public Health England Screening Quality Assurance Service are supporting Pathology First and clinicians at Basildon and Southend Hospitals to ensure they receive safe, high-quality screening.

‘There have been changes to local processes, and updated training for staff involved in screening.’