Smear backlog delays HPV testing

The introduction of HPV testing is set to be delayed beyond this year as the HSE struggles to clear the 78,000 smear check backlog.

The HSE cannot even give a date for the rollout of the already delayed HPV test as they work to address waits of up to 27 weeks for Cervical Check results — and the head of the HSE’s Women and Infants Health Programme also said it is “inevitable” that some women who are now waiting up to six months for results will have abnormal smears.