Cervicalcheck

Tribunal open to those in CervicalCheck scandal

Terms for a tribunal to hear and determine claims from women and families caught up in the CervicalCheck scandal have been agreed by government.

Simon Harris: Warning about free smear tests had 'nothing new in it' and email was not passed on

A blunt warning from the National Screening Service (NSS) to the health minister about the significant risks that would arise from offering free out-of-cycle smear tests had “nothing new in it” and was not passed on to him at the time, Simon Harris has told the health committee.

Health minister's 'story' on repeat smear tests has shifted, Opposition claim

The government is facing further questions over how Health Minister Simon Harris' story has “shifted” around advice he received over offering women free repeat smear tests.

Health Minister suggests criticism of smear test rollout is ‘politically motivated’

‘It’s disappointing that some people are choosing to play party politics with such an important issue in women’s health’, he said.

Opposition 'crass' for playing party politics with women's health, says Harris

Health Minister Simon Harris says his decision to offer free smear test re-checks was consistent with advice he was given by senior civil servants.

Harris messages reveal smear test turmoil

The commotion around a helpline that didn’t work; a distrust of the HSE’s ability to supply reliable data; and a preoccupation with media coverage of the CervicalCheck crisis are themes in a series of revealing texts between the health minister and his most senior adviser (the texts have been obtained through Freedom of Information).

Struggle to cope with cervical smear test crisis revealed

As the health service was engulfed by the scandal over the CervicalCheck screening programme, top medics and officials wanted that there wasn’t capacity to deal with the crisis while also maintaining the service’s normal operation, writes Health Correspondent Catherine Shanahan.

Solicitor representing CervicalCheck victims: Smear audit halted ‘for no reason’

A solicitor representing CervicalCheck victims has questioned if halting the smear test audit a year ago was an attempt to “put a lid” on the number of women affected by the scandal.

Minister: Recheck critics engaged in revisionism

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Health Minister Simon Harris have been forced to deny CervicalCheck officials warned them offering free smear test rechecks would severely damage the service — accusing critics of being involved in “revisionism”.

HSE 'trawling the world' to find extra screening capacity for cervical smears, committee told

The health authority's national director of screening services, Damien McCallion, said there is currently a backlog of 79,500 slides, with some samples taking up to 33 weeks to be reviewed.

Health Minister rejects critics' 'revisionism' over free smear test re-checks

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Health Minister Simon Harris have been forced to deny CervicalCheck officials warned them that offering free smear test re-checks would severely damage the service - accusing critics of being involved in "revisionism".

Government 'in denial' over free smear test advice, says Micheál Martin

Latest: Micheál Martin has accused the Health Minister of not being upfront over claims he was advised against offering a free cervical smear test.

Harris denies ignoring advice that repeat smears would have serious consequences on CervicalCheck

A Fianna Fáil TD has suggested Simon Harris misled the Dáil over the CervicalCheck scandal.

Test result delay ‘very low risk to women’

The national director of the HSE’s screening service will be quizzed today about the 33 week wait for the return of cervical screening results.

Women in rural Ireland waiting longer for results of smear tests, Dáil hears

The Government and Health Minister Simon Harris came under severe attack in the Dáil over fresh delays in cervical tests for women who had to be retested.

Lab which takes up to seven months to process smear tests fast-tracking private patient results

It has emerged a medical lab that takes up to seven months to process smear tests for the HSE has been fast-tracking the results for private patients.

Almost €10m spent on smear test re-checks, Harris confirms

The Government spent just under €10m on ensuring that women received smear test re-checks in the aftermath of the cervical cancer crisis.

Alan Kelly: HSE must honour smear test results pledge

Labour Party health spokesperson Alan Kelly has called on the HSE to honour its commitment to women who underwent a repeat smear test that they would have results back in four to six weeks.

Only 200 women have received results from 2,500 repeat smear tests

Just 7% of women who got a repeat smear test from a lab used by CervicalCheck have received their results.

Tribunal to deal with CervicalCheck claims delayed by Brexit

The establishment of an independent statutory tribunal to deal with claims arising from the CervicalCheck scandal has been delayed by Brexit, it has emerged.

Concerns raised at HSE's ability to deliver CervicalCheck inquiry recommendations

Dr Gabriel Scally has published his views in a new progress report on the issues highlighted in the wake of the CervicalCheck scandal.

Top medic advised against Cervical Check review

The most senior Government health adviser attempted to block a review of CervicalCheck the day after Vicky Phelan called for an investigation into the screening programme.

Scally report into CervicalCheck a watershed in Irish healthcare

In the chronicles of CervicalCheck, April 25, 2018 will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Compensation scheme for over 200 women caught up in CervicalCheck controversy agreed by government

Health Minister Simon Harris expects that payments to women and families could be made in the coming weeks. A judge and two officials appointed to oversee the scheme will decide amounts paid.

'More person-centred' approach explored in resolving clinical negligence claims

The government will explore all options other than the court process for settling clinical negligence claims.

Harris dismisses suggestions that CervicalCheck committee is in danger of being wound down

The Health Minister has dismissed suggestions by his own officials that the CervicalCheck steering committee is in danger of being wound down.

Cervical Check: Fianna Fáil say delayed Scally report is 'disappointing'

Fianna Fáil has said it is disappointing that the second Scally report on Cervical Check will be delayed.

Midwife urges HSE to settle so she can get life-prolonging drug

A midwife who is suing the HSE over being wrongfully accused of malpractice is appealing for her action to be settled so she can access drugs that may save her life.

'I’ve run out of time': Terminally ill midwife who battled the HSE says her fight is over

Midwife Philomena Canning has been battling the HSE in court for years. Now, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, she says her fight is over, writes Michael Clifford

Vicky Phelan to focus on health and family as viral infection forces her to pull back from campaigning

Cancer awareness advocate Vicky Phelan is stepping back from campaigning after a serious setback to her health.

‘Minister should have factored in Jade Goody effect before offering free smears’

Sinn Fein said the surge in women coming forward for cervical cancer checks was ‘entirely predictable’.

Tánaiste: Introduction of HPV testing not being 'long-fingered'

The Tánaiste has dismissed suggestions that the switch to HPV testing to detect cervical cancer is "being long-fingered".

Smear backlog delays HPV testing

The introduction of HPV testing is set to be delayed beyond this year as the HSE struggles to clear the 78,000 smear check backlog.

Taoiseach acknowledges 'enormous anxiety' of women waiting for cervical cancer test results

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has acknowledged the “enormous anxiety” among women over the mounting cervical cancer test result delays, amid criticism over the government's free offer of repeat tests.

'What if I'd been told earlier?' Women continue to wait for results amid CervicalCheck scandal

This is the question no one wants to have to ask when faced with concerning health results.

Government acted with heart rather than head on free smear tests – Taoiseach

Leo Varadkar said the Government had been under enormous pressure to act following the CervicalCheck controversy

Live: 'Inevitable' that some women will have abnormal smears, HSE head tells committee

It is "inevitable" that some women who are now waiting up to six months for Cervical Check results will have abnormal smears, the head of the HSE's Women and Infants Health Programme has warned.

HSE contacts over 6,000 women about repeat cervical smear tests

The HSE has begun contacting up to 6,000 women, by phone and letter, about having a repeat cervical smear test because of delays in processing their original samples.

75% of women affected by CervicalCheck scandal now cancer free

Three-quarters of the women affected by the CervicalCheck controversy are now cancer free.

'It is heartbreaking, terrifying and unimaginable' - husband of cervical cancer victim Ruth Morrissey tells High Court

The husband of Ruth Morrissey who has cervical cancer today told the High Court it has been extremely tough for his family and it is like there is a dark cloud over them.

Woman seriously ill with cancer resumes High Court case over alleged misreading of cervical smears

Limerick woman Ruth Morrissey who is seriously ill with cancer today resumed her High Court action over alleged misreading of her cervical smears.

Cervical cancer victim who battled to be given life-saving treatment to be buried Wednesday

A young woman diagnosed with terminal cervical cancer, who battled to be given life-saving treatment, is to be buried on Wednesday.

Doctors demand answers over cervical cancer test delay

A leading GP group is seeking an immediate meeting with HSE officials over the deepening cervical cancer tests crisis, due to widespread concern among its members over the number of tests being sent back because they have expired.

Health Minister facing backlash over CervicalCheck Programme

Health Minister Simon Harris is facing backlash over the level of uncertainty regarding the CervicalCheck Programme.

Cervical Check patient group says results backlog must be addressed

The group representing victims of the Cervical Check scandal says delays in screening test results must be addressed as a matter of urgency.

Anger at HSE as 6,000 women need repeat smear

The HSE has failed since October to produce a plan to tackle the Cervical Check backlog as advocates warn more women may die.

How much scandal can the cervical cancer screening programme take?

The 6,000 women invited to undergo repeat tests will wonder why it’s only happening now, writes Catherine Shanahan.

HSE knew about repeat smear tests in November, says Tánaiste

The HSE first became aware of thousands of women who will now need repeat smear checks as far back as November, the Tánaiste has told the Dáil.

Harris accused of ‘putting head in the sand’ over latest CervicalCheck scandal

It comes after it emerged that 6,000 women will have to undergo repeat smear tests.

Update: GP blames 'political and media hype' for six-month delay in smear results

The Health Minister Simon Harris has been strongly criticised over problems relating to delays in smear test results.

‘Lives at risk’ as smear retests expire

Families affected by the cervical cancer tests scandal have warned women’s lives are still being put at risk after the Government admitted a thousand free checks given after the crisis are useless because of chronic delays in producing results

Some smear tests offered in wake of CervicalCheck scandal need to be repeated, Taoiseach says

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the Dail that some checks arranged after the cervical cancer screening scandal have expired due to a backlog.

Pembro drug to be offered to cervical cancer patients

Women suffering with cervical cancer are to be offered the drug Pembro for their treatment after a high profile campaign.

Cervical cancer sufferer Orla Church laid to rest today

At 54, Orla Church is the latest woman to die of cervical cancer, having had two clear smear test results in 2011 and 2014. She was laid to rest today.

CervicalCheck campaigner Orla Church dies

"Many of us got to meet and know Orla in the past months and she was just such a wonderfully courageous, strong and inspiring person."

Free smear tests to cost State €10m

Free smear tests announced by the Government during the CervicalCheck crisis are set to cost €10m, the Public Accounts Committee has been told.

Vicky Phelan warns Simon Harris there will be a 'parade of women' going to court

Cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan is calling on the Minister for Health Simon Harris to put more resources into the service otherwise “there will be a parade of women” going to court, she warned.

Set up cancer compensation tribunal now, urges Vicky Phelan

The Government needs to act immediately to set up a compensation tribunal so that women terminally ill with cervical cancer can have their claims processed before it’s too late, according to cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan.

Simon Harris backs Taoiseach over CervicalCheck criticism

Campaigner Vicky Phelan said she thought the Taoiseach is ‘all talk and no action’.

Vicky Phelan says Taoiseach is 'all talk and no action' over CervicalCheck response

Vicky Phelan has strongly criticised the Taoiseach over the government’s response to the needs of cervical cancer patients since her exposing of the CervicalCheck scandal last year.

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Wednesday, April 24, 2019