Harney’s reluctance to pay GPs hits smear testing

ONE of the reasons for the Department of Health’s delay in developing a national cervical cancer screening programme is the Tánaiste’s reluctance to pay GPs another €15 million annually to complete the tests, it was claimed yesterday.

Pressure has been mounting on the Tánaiste to set up a national scheme as international research has shown Irish cervical cancer figures are continuing to grow while countries with screening programmes are recording a sharp drop in incidence of the disease.

However Department of Health sources yesterday said that the Tánaiste was well disposed towards the scheme but was wary of the financial consequences for the taxpayer of making it free for all.