'Suspicious' referrals increased following CervicalCheck court cases

Vicky Phelan was given a settlement against an American laboratory following incorrect smear test results. It later emerged that more than 200 women were affected. File picture: Brian Lawless

Controversy around the CervicalCheck programme had a “profound impact”, causing delays and distress for women, a study carried out in Dublin has found.

The new study compares colposcopy referrals to the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, before and after the intense public campaigns from 2016 to 2020.