CervicalCheck helpline fails to call back 75% of people

The HSE helpline set up to reassure women with cervical cancer concerns failed to respond to three-quarters of callers as of yesterday.

In the 10 days since the CervicalCheck helpline was established, fewer than 2,000 of the 7,500 who requested callbacks had been contacted. Almost 11,000 people have called the helpline.

Damian McCallion, overseeing the national cervical cancer screening service, apologised “for taking so long”. He said they are prioritising women with specific clinical queries or a history of cervical cancer.