Irish Cancer Society calls for “urgent” meeting with Harris and early introduction of HPV DNA testing

"Nothing less than a statutory enquiry can ensure that the full facts now emerge."

The Irish Cancer Society has called for an urgent meeting with the Health Minister to discuss the wide range of issues that have occurred in wake of the CervicalCheck scandal. In a statement posted to their website, the society began by sharing their sympathies following the announcement that 17 women who had been affected by the smear test controversy have died. "The Irish Cancer Society wishes to express its deepest sympathies to the families of the 17 women identified in a review of smear tests who died, and may not have known the correct results of their cervical cancer screening," the statement began. "That 162 of 208 women were not promptly told of the errors associated with their smear test results is unacceptable in a modern health service. "These women, their families and the country deserve answers as to how this could happen, and what can be done to prevent such an event reoccurring. Nothing less than a statutory enquiry can ensure that the full facts now emerge." Following news released at a HSE briefing on Monday that confirmed 162 of the women who'd been affected had not yet been told their fate, the Irish Cancer Society then shared the news that they'd requested an urgent meeting with the Minister for Health Simon Harris to seek clarity on a number of items surrounding the scandal. These include:

• The scope and terms of reference of a statutory inquiry;
• Redress for those affected;
• Leadership roles and communications issues;
• Process for repeat smear testing;
• Legislative proposals around mandatory reporting;
• Early introduction of HPV DNA testing.

The society completed their statement by thanking Vicky Phelan for the role she played in unravelling the major health scandal. "We would again like to thank Vicky Phelan, who through her unwavering strength and courage, has shone a spotlight on an issue that strikes at the core of cancer patient care in Ireland," the statement read. "While the health system made serious missteps and its damaging mishandling of communication undeniably failed Vicky, cervical screening has saved women’s lives and will continue to do so while women use the programme. The Irish Cancer Society echoes Vicky’s calls to continue availing of cervical cancer screening." Following Monday's briefing, the Health Minister announced the introduction of a CervicalCheck investigation as well as individual assessments for all those affected. https://twitter.com/merrionstreet/status/991001635265576960 Upon first hearing about the scandal, the Fine Gael minister also confirmed the introduction of repeat smear tests for Irish women – to be paid for by the State. Vicky Phelan – the terminally ill woman whose court case brought the CervicalCheck scandal to light – spoke on RTÉ Radio One today about her feelings on hearing that 17 women affected by the controversy have died.