HSE confirms 11,500 women affected by out-of-date CervicalCheck tests since 2015

The HSE has confirmed that around 11,500 women have been affected by a Cervical Check testing problem between 2015 and last year.

A review was ordered after an external lab highlighted a problem with the use of out-of-date testing kits for the HPV virus.

The HSE says there is no reason to check women who had tested positive on the original out-of-date test, but around 5,000 women from the original group have been asked back for re-checks.

However, it says the clinical risk to women's health is low and the re-tests are precautionary.

The recent IT problem, which is separate to the out-of-date testing issue, resulted in late results for around 800 women.