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MINISTER FOR HEALTH Simon Harris was warned by a gynaecologist located in the Mid-West region that his announcement of free repeat smear tests was “dangerous” and put the CervicalCheck screening programme at risk.
The letter, received on 15 October by the Department of Health and released to TheJournal.ie under a Freedom of Information request, says that the Mid-West region alone has seen a “300% increase in referrals” for further examination.
“It is impossible to meet the current demand within recommended guidelines, making the system unsafe,” the letter says, which was sent to 20 other healthcare professionals and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
The latest figures indicate that over 80,000 smear test samples are still in the CervicalCheck system, compared with around 23,000 at any given time prior to that. Between May and October this year there was an increase of 75,000 smear tests being carried out, when compared to the same period last year.
“Smear reports are now taking over four months. This is dangerous,” the letter to Harris warns.
The comparable turnaround time for smear reporting in the UK is two weeks. We cannot be held responsible for the resulting delay in cancer diagnosis.
The first delayed diagnosis has arisen last week in our unit from a smear test taken in June 2018 and only now reported.
The increase is due to a number of factors: over 43,000 out-of-cycle smears, or free repeat smear tests have been carried out; an increase in the number of women attending their regular smears; and an increase in colposcopy referrals, which could be related to the increase in smear tests.
A colposcopy is an examination of the cervix, or the neck of the womb, to discern whether abnormal changes in the cells are present.
On 28 April last year, Harris responded to the public concern created in the aftermath of the CervicalCheck controversy by offering women repeat smear tests for free from 1 May.
“Have heard from many women today who have had smear tests and would like a repeat test to reassure them,” Harris tweeted at the time.
On 6 December, the HSE said GPs had been informed that the free repeat smear tests would end on 31 December, “as scheduled”.
The CervicalCheck controversy came into the public eye when Vicky Phelan, whose cervical cancer is now terminal, settled a High Court action against the HSE and the US laboratory tasked with reviewing one of her smears for €2.5 million.
Phelan’s 2011 smear test results were reviewed in 2014, and it was found that her slides had been misread. She wasn’t told about the review or the error until 2017, three years after receiving a cervical cancer diagnosis.
It was subsequently revealed that 221 women who were diagnosed with cervical cancer weren’t told that their earlier smear tests had been reviewed and had not been read correctly. Of that total number, 18 women had since died.
The smear test scandal has lead to a number of ongoing legal actions, and the resignations of the Clinical Director of CervicalCheck Grainne Flannelly and the Director General of the HSE, Tony O’Brien.
In an interview with the Sunday Business Post after his resignation, O’Brien accused Harris of “running scared of headlines”, and criticised his decision to offer repeat smear tests without applying additional resources to the healthcare system.
In a statement to TheJournal.ie, the Department of Health said:
“Following a government decision on 1 May, the Minister for Health asked CervicalCheck to make the necessary arrangements to provide that any woman who had previously had a CervicalCheck smear test could access a further test without charge, following consultation with their GP.
“This decision was made in consideration of the need to provide reassurance to women in advance of a comprehensive review of the screening service, and the provision of free out-of-cycle smear tests has now ceased.
CervicalCheck laboratory activity has been significantly above normal levels. There are a number of reasons for this including increased uptake in the programme generally. This has impacted turnaround times for results of smear tests.
The issue remains “a priority concern” for the Minister and his Department, the statement says.
The Minister regrets the delays experienced by women but has been assured capacity issues are the subject of ongoing discussions between his Department and the HSE.
In addition, the Minister has sought a plan from the HSE to take account of available capacity and expected demand. The report, which is due shortly, will aim to bring the programme into stabilisation this year.
“A smear test is not a diagnostic test, but is a screening test which can detect changes in a person that does not display any symptoms. The HSE advises women that if, at any time, they have concerns or symptoms they should contact their GP immediately, even if they have had a recent normal smear test.”
Waiting times
According to the HSE, there would be a waiting time of 4-6 weeks for the results of a smear test, although women who have had their smear before said it was closer to 2-3 weeks.
Now, “results may take up to 20 weeks from the time you have had your test,” the HSE website states.
“The public confidence in the whole Cervical Smear and Colposcopy service has been shattered. Morale amongst staff is at an all time low and litigation at an all time high,” the letter concludes.
Before Christmas, the government announced that it would set up a Tribunal of Inquiry later this year into the claims that have arisen from the CervicalCheck controversy.
A report into the CervicalCheck controversy was also completed in September last year by Dr Gabriel Scally. As part of his review, he announced that an immediate ex-gratia payment of €2,000 should be paid to each woman involved in the Cervical Check scandal and to the next of kin of the deceased.
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“If true, that’s not good.”
Inspired subheading!
Seriously though…. Russian forces are kicking Ukrainian ass these past few days.
Russia opening up the a new front to the south by attacking Mariupol could be the game changer.
The Russians are in Ukraine. No joking Sherlock
Well, from their total inaction, our political leaders clearly believe Putin when he says that there are no Russians there.
How many more people have to die their violent, bloody deaths before somebody west of Kiev notices that Putin has brought war to Europe.
The elephant in the room is the coup itself. The chocolate king and his backers surely cannot be trusted. Why would anybody put Ukraine at their disposal? Didn’t the Russians experience the same thing first hand with Yeltsin who handed over state assets to a variety of oligarchs (something they are still trying to reverse)
There is also the issue, not unrelated , of people like Joe Biden’s son suddenly developing an interest in investing in Ukraine.
And why would Russia be agreeable to the west extending its military capabilities to its border? We have seen in Israel how the whole arms market, and the Cold War/War on Terror that sustains it, is vital to USA business. I wouldn’t be too sure that the USA aren’t creating and exploiting a volatile situation in Ukraine (militarily and economically)
@ Robin Hillard … Robin, there have always been Russians in Ukraine, it’s where Russia has it’s roots
. ” How many more people have to die their violent, bloody deaths ” That sounds like a threat !
No one, except a few neo Nazis, like yourself asked NATO to instigate a coup, it is up to America and NATO to stop murdering people. Why this interest in Russians helping their people in east Ukraine ? America and NATO have openly been helping an illegal coup regime that they installed with the intent of starting war with Russia, they are in no moral position to say anything about Russia or the freedom fighters.
The Ukrainian army is a shambles. The New York Times are saying they have now been completely broken south of Donetsk and are fully retreating if not out right deserting. Only Right Sector and the Donbass battalion seem to be putting up a fight.
Big time.
A lot of units defected en masse to the rebel side in the early days.
They can barely muster 30,000 currently.
Many of these as you said, militias of dubious merit.
In the south, what was up to this week, a rebel free area has been hammered by Russian armour & artillery.
They need some Irish troops in there to keep the peace…..
Lots of Poles out there, mercenaries, haters of all things Russian.
Yeah but mercenaries fight for the money, right? But if they are there because of traditional animosity among Poles towards Russia then it would at least sound more noble a cause.
Most there out if good kid fashioned hatred of the red army, a few for money no doubt.
@ Weslo .. Hopefully they will be caught, NATO mercenaries should never be allowed return home, they will be used again by NATO to start murder and genocide in some other unfortunate country.
Oh, we know what this means, better watch out Vladimir, are you ready for………
ECONOMIC SANCTIONS!!!
Its funny …the West is very quick to bring on sanctions on Valdmir Putin over false flag allegations.
…but they are very slow to bring them on against ISIS….in fact its the opposite…. the West will let them thrive.
http://www.syriadeeply.org/articles/2014/07/5856/isis-3-million-day-selling-oil-analysts/
This damned US soldiers are every where , they are in about 35 countries at the last count helping Juntas, dictators , military governments kings and despots to stay in power Oh ,sorry its Russian in Ukraine trying to help their fellow Russians that what this report is about
Or israel
Frank, on the contrary. There have been news articles saying that Assad allowed Isis to grow to fight against moderate rebels. Go read up on it.
Oh Jesus Christ Declan, enough is enough from you, you clearly like to lick windows, all you do is come on here to insult and troll people, and when you actually try and be serious, it’s this semi ret@rded bullshit from the US state dept via the Cartoon News Network, please fuhk off.
Ab, sanctions against IS, so we should stop buying their camels or fancy black flags ?
Declan Noonan .. wouldn’t believe that.. Moderate Rebels, ISIS are all the one… US / CIA generated Christian murdering head hacking terrorist group with an agenda to fear monger and divide the middle east.
Glen is a conspiracy expert anti American anti israel. Do us all a favour go and live with IS and don’t come back.
Mick Madden … ISIS, America and Israel all share the same bed….You are hardly going to expect Glen to hop in with them..
http://countercurrentnews.com/2014/06/isis-post-pr-photos-they-took-with-john-mccain/
Indeed, the all to common hypocrite.
Railing against the west no matter how irrational.
If only they would move to the lands they support so vehemently & leave this awful West to us decadent dogs.
Anti-American ?
Business Cat …”would move to the lands they support so vehemently & leave this awful West to us decadent dogs”.
The “West” will not be happy unless it takes over the whole world…
# Greed, Oil, Warmongering, lies, Deception, terrorist supporting..
So Frank.
You are leaving when?
Business Cat .. what’s the point in moving to these countries if the Yanks intend turning them all into wastelands once they are “liberated”.
There are 192 to pick Frankie.
Or are you just going to remain the angry hypocrite.
Pyongyang is lovely in the Autumn…. Off you go!
Where did you pick that figure from?
There is only a hand full of countries left in the world without a Rothschild central bank and these are the countries that the West (Zi0nist puppet nations) have a problem with… Most notably Syria, DPNK IRAN and Cuba.
Choices… choices!
What’s it going to be?
As I said before what’s the point of going to these key countries ie Iran, Syria and Russia most notably if America is going to soon carpet bomb the hell out of them.. Its only a matter of time before Obama drums up another false flag and excuse…. 9/11 all over again (More than likely 7/11 this time)
So you fantasise to pathetically cover your hypocrisy.
At least your consistent in that.
Business.. US Lieutenant General declares Defcon 1 Nuke threat imminent… brings up MH370 and even mentions September 7th… it could be the 9/11 part 2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9fN0Nx4Zcs
# Hint of False Flag.
Frank, we all know that you and glen are in the same bed. Do you shine flashlights at each other under the sheets?
Glen, yes you are.
Frank, so you will only go to a country without banks ?
Do you use a bank now? Have you ever thought about not using a bank?
Ask your boss, if you have a job to pay you in cash only. If you are on unemployment assistance just remember that you get more money then in those countries you mentioned.
Ab, I’m not sure if you are serious with your comments or its an extended april fools day gag. If you are serious then you do need urgent medical help
Unfortunately, Stephen, he is serious. He thinks numbers have magical properties. He needs help as soon as possible. His heart is in the right place, but his head is, well, f*cked….
Nikola Tesla also had an obsession with certain numbers Brian, and tbh I find numerology a fascinating subject meself, as do many, you’ve got to admit, the dates and numbers all bear significance somehow, plenty of Masonic stuff involves numbers as well.
Declan Noonan .. The Rothschild Central Banks would have us all micro chipped if they had the chance and that day is coming. .. only a matter of time before their poison infiltrates Iran, Syria, DPNK and Cuba.
Frank,
Conspiracy theories
Over more than two centuries, the Rothschild family has frequently been the subject of conspiracy theories. These theories take differing forms, such as claiming that the family controls the world’s wealth and financial institutions, or encouraged or discouraged wars between governments. Discussing this and similar views, the historian Niall Ferguson wrote, “As we have seen, however, wars tended to hit the price of existing bonds by increasing the risk that a debtor state would fail to meet its interest payments in the event of defeat and losses of territory. By the middle of the 19th century, the Rothschilds had evolved from traders into fund managers, carefully tending to their own vast portfolio of government bonds. Now having made their money, they stood to lose more than they gained from conflict. The Rothschilds had decided the outcome of the Napoleonic Wars by putting their financial weight behind Britain. Now they would sit on the sidelines.Many conspiracy theories about the Rothschild family have been identified as a result of anti-Semitic prejudice reaching back several hundred years, including the era of the Napoleonic wars, and not as a result of valid evidence.
@ Business Cat … I have a much better idea, why not have a regime change in the west ? Like the coup in Ukraine, or allow the people democracy, then you and all the business cats can go live in the country’s our CIA and NATO are destroying.
The west ! Meaning OBAMA the biggest terrorist on the planet trying to start world war 3 .
Because the dollar is about to collapse
And this video should help you to understand Dunners comment in detail
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP7L8bw5QF4&list=TL-7I9mSAe5VuHAFfd26h0UROenixOQhR2
ISIS Exposed 100% As A CIA Operation: “The Next Bin Laden is Here” – Don’t Be Fooled
Hmmmm does this clip seem that crazy now eh? (Bar Lenin rising from the dead) http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1ee465_copy-of-simpsons-soviet-union_fun
It’s one thing for the west to make a claim.
It’s another thing for them to back up the claim …… Talk is cheap Obama show the world the evidence before you drag us all closer to another world war.
It’s true…Crimea is still Ukraine
This one must make the shortlist of “Glens most sh*t posts”.
You, the Putinistas & RT are the only ones still denying the presence of Russian forces in Ukraine.
Even the controlled Russian media are questioning the secret burials of soldiers bodies coming back from Ukraine.
Business cat
All I am asking for is proof !! Why is that do hard to provide ?
What proof do you need?
I think I outlined that in my opining comment
But you didn’t.
We know for those with an agenda, no proof is good enough.
Even the Kremlin say they have forces in Ukraine, they’ve admitted same since April.
But to the unhinged, that in itself isn’t good enough
Oh glen, you are so gullible. I bet you believe in the tooth fairy.
Why did you take a job with the Irish government if you hate the west so much? Why don’t you try living in an environment like Russia, or Iran?
@ Glenn .. That’s asking too much of Barry O’Bananna, evidence ? He can’t even show his birth cert.
We can say the very same about the West having its “troops” in Syria…
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/08/27/376783/photos-show-isil-executing-syrian-troops/
Listen to your Master Putinistas. Putin again insisted “It’s not our business, it’s Ukraine’s internal business.”
If Putin is not stopped, this war could become everybody’s business.
What are we heading for here Robin? A police world state whereby we are all like the residents of Ferguson? And if we resist it we end up like the people of Gaza? Cop yourself on youngfella!
Try resisting authority in Moscow and see where that gets you Joe! Horse whipped if you’re an ordinary JoeSoap, Polonium poisoning if you’re a political opponent.
2 sides of the same coin Avina, I’m not one fooled by the East west paradigm, they’re both as bad as each other, only Russia doesn’t go to great lengths to hide it.
@ Robin Hillard .. This war is everyone’s business, we have to stop NATO causing trouble in other country’s, we can start by supporting politicians like Putin and refusing to allow NATO to act as a protection racket.
Why can’t the rebels have their own country ? Of course they can’t bring the country in the Russian territory tile that in the terms and have conditions. I can’t see why they won’t give them it, if they want peace let them away you’ll spare a lot of lives on both sides
The Rebels do have their own country.
It’s called Russia.
The bodies of their forces fighting there are gathering in number & the Kremlin is having a hard time keeping it under wraps.
They can all move to Russia. You know, where most of them are from anyways.
What about Odessa ?
What about it?
Why were pro Russians burnt alive, why was there a pregnant woman choked to death and there is even videos showing pro Ukraine troops shooting those who tired escape, if you think I’m lying you can find the videos with ease why didn’t make news here ? Oh if you think it was the pro Russians then why would they have blue and yellow around them
You must be new here..
The Odessa tragedy received extensive coverage.
Odessa has been quiet since thankfully.
We know that the bulk of the pro-Russian forces in the city that day were shipped in from Transdniestria in Moldova.
Loyal the Stars and Stripes won’t get you anywhere. We are neutral so must respect both sides
You don’t appear neutral?
Why not?
I want peace in the region, give them a separate country, in return they won’t suffer come winter and allow Ukraine to be western back so be
Who are “them”?
Hundreds of Russian FSB & Spetnaz agents leading old communist locals is not the thing of nations.
You, I’m sure know that there has never been a political mandate in eastern Ukraine to join Russia.
You will also know that there has never been so much as an opinion poll showing majority support for joining Russia.
I’m sure you know no eastern oblast is close to being majority ethnic Russian.
Unless you have teenager level naievity, you will know that surrendering a landmass bigger than Ireland to Russian special forces solves nothing.
Communism or fascism, oh btw Russia was socialist not communist.
Nearly there kiddo.
You’ll get something right eventually.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_Party_of_the_Soviet_Union
And America was the land of the free I suppose ?
What has that got to do with the Russian Communist party?
Your stretching to score a point here Steve…… Its not going well.
I honestly just don’t support a country with a system like the NDAA. But you’re just some guy or girl pretending the be a cat. You don’t understand anything other than food or sleep.
I am a cat.
A grey English shorthair with a penchant for sharp suits.
A cat who never tires of teaching kids who think they know the world the facts of life….. and I’m only six years old!
No you’re pretending to be a cat
Stephen, how old are you ?
How old are you ?
Don’t bother with the grumpy aul shite Young Ennis, he’s got issues.
@ Sean O Brian.. Russia began in Kiev, Ukraine should be returned to Russia, many Ukrainians want a free bite of the American dream, let them go there. Peace on Russia’s border is good for the world and loosing a bunch of free loaders is no loss to anyone.
You all realise the Ukraine army are even considering turn back and heading for Kiev the situation ain’t simple
Russia is now sending its SECOND large food convoy to Eastern Ukraine..
Its kind of ironic.. The US sends arms and finance to terrorists and countries like Israel to carry out genocide but Russia is the country ending up getting all the sanctions.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/08/27/376778/russia-to-send-2nd-aid-convoy-to-ukraine/
I wonder if this one will be 80% empty as well…
Btw, funny how the bodies of dead Russian troops started to show up in Russia (after suffering “heart attacks” apparently) shortly after the last convoy left Ukraine…
@ Avina Laaf, some evidence of this please, or are you just apeing the usual NATO propaganda again.
This is just one link of dozens from a simple google search Chris – I’m sure you could have done it yourself:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/mothers-pressure-russia/1334610.html
Keep trying though.
@ Lavina Laaf … Yes I could have, and chosen a better link, what do you want me to do, send you a link about Ukraine mothers protesting the war ? I’ll pass.
Anyway, Porky has been told autonomy is not on the table anymore, only independence for the east now. Americas and Israel’s new colony is dead in the water, WW 3 averted thanks to Putin, no wonder the west hates himI do think of all the American, Polish and Lithuanian mothers that don’t even know where there sons ar, but that’s war !
More US lies
ok we can all agree that a conflict between nato forces and russian forces could spill out of this, there are many other elements of this armchair warriors across the land can fight over.
remember back at the fine gael ard fheis our fearless leader enda kenny wanted us to join nato. http://www.thejournal.ie/fine-gael-ard-fheis-motions-1336230-Feb2014/
this would end our neutrality and make us a target for a nuclear armed country. like the puppet on a string he is kenny will try again.
this is an area that can be addressed and discussed here with some changes either way. make noise annoy your local td with your views.
have your say