Lack of clarity on Cervical Check review unacceptable

Issued : Thursday 5 July, 2018

Labour Health spokesperson and Vice-Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Alan Kelly TD, has said that the lack of clarity from the HSE on Cervical Check smears is not acceptable.

Deputy Kelly said:

“This morning the Department of Health confirmed that the physical review of slides that was supposed to be completed by the end of May has yet to even begin.

“The review of slides can take months, so this means that this information won’t be available to Dr. Gabriel Scally.

“This situation is becoming more unbelievable as time goes on. We know that the solicitors of Vicky Phelan and Emma Mhic Mhathúna 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.

“Without any clarity for when the review of slides will actually commence, it means the Scally Report will be incomplete by his August deadline.

“It is clear at this stage to the women of Ireland that their healthcare is not a priority to the Department of Health. They deserve so much better than has been afforded them to this point.”

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