Half of cervical smears analysed in US

Half of all cervical smears are still being sent to the US for analysis even though a Dublin laboratory has the capacity to process them all in Ireland.

MedLab Pathology, based in Sandyford, which junior minister Alex White will officially open today, is a fully-functioning accredited cervical screening unit with a throughput of 160,000 samples per year but which, according to its CEO Eamonn Madden, has the capacity to process double that amount.

“It is vital all cervical screening analysis and reporting is carried out in Ireland and it is hoped that in time the full contract will remain in Ireland to retain and develop medical and scientific expertise in this country. MLP look forward to providing that service,” he said.