Probe into returned smear test letters

THE National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) has launched an investigation into why more than 40,000 letters to women entitled to a free smear test were returned unopened.

The NCSS investigation comes following claims by Sinn Féin TD Aengus O Snodaigh on Sunday that some 40,000 letters had been returned unopened.

The Sinn Féin TD said questions needed to be answered in terms of how the database used by the NCSS was set up and how it was being monitored.

However, the NCSS has defended its record on communicating with women regarding the CervicalCheck programme.

In a statement it said: “In Ireland, there is no single population register, unique identifier or post-code system.

“CervicalCheck has assembled a register from information supplied by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and self-registration of women.”

“Experts suggest that verifying population data is the greatest challenge and in any such communications programme, returns of between 3%-4% can be expected as standard,” the statement read.

Between August 2009 and April 2010, CervicalCheck issued 1.1 million letters to women aged between 25 and 60 years old.

As of May 14, the NCSS had been advised of some 23,000 letters having been returned unopened. However, after media reports at the weekend, the NCSS confirmed it received a further 20,000 letters returned unopened which it had not been notified of.

On receipt of this information, the NCSS confirmed it is to carry out an investigation into the matter which will be completed over the course of the next week.

Meanwhile, the national cervical cancer vaccination programme got underway yesterday and will begin in 21 second-level schools before the summer holidays. As many as 30,000 students are to receive the vaccine.

It is being provided to first-year secondary school girls and girls in sixth class, going into first year in secondary school this September.

Those who receive the vaccine this month will have to have their second injection in July, either at a HSE clinic or at their school.

First-year students not vaccinated before the summer holidays will be vaccinated when schools return in September and sixth- class students going into second-level in September will also be offered the vaccination at that stage.