Smear tests halted due to hospital staff freeze

THE hospital that carries out vital smear tests on behalf of women in the south-east has advised doctors it can no longer do so because of the health service staff freeze.

Clinical director of laboratory medicine at University College Hospital Galway (UCHG), Professor Martin Cormican, has written to doctors in the south-east advising them of a “discontinuation” of the gynaecology cytology service in the region.

In his letter, Prof Cormican says the Department of Cytology at UCHG will be unable to provide a diagnostic gynaecological cytology service from the end of October because of the Health Service Executive (HSE) staff freeze introduced in September.

“The decision has been forced by the embargo on staff recruitment and the impossibility of providing a quality and timely service to the population of both the west and south-east with the current level of staff,” wrote Prof Cormican.

“Unfortunately, therefore, any specimens received on or after November 1... will be immediately returned to you unopened.

“I and all the staff at the cytology service very much regret the inconvenience to patients and to our colleagues.”

It is understood services to the west will continue.

Last night, industrial relations chief with the Medical Scientists’ Laboratory Association, John Kane, said he understood about 10,000 smear tests — carried out to detect cell abnormalities and cancer of the cervix — are sent from the south-east to UCHG each year, and alternative arrangements would have to be made.

He criticised the HSE and the Department of Health for its “historic underfunding” of cytology services in the State.

“The Galway lab has been short five staff since September and has experienced a 25% increase in its workload this year.

“Members of our association have been hit by the staff embargo all over the country, particularly in the north-east. It hasn’t hit cytology services there yet, but it could,” said Mr Kane.