Calls for new testing following smear test scandal

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's Monaghan Row offices.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has called for new cancer testing to be implemented in the wake of a smear test scandal affecting 17,000 women.

The Southern Trust is to review test results from January 2008 to October 2021 following a “damning” report from the Royal College of Pathologists.

During a motion debate, NMDDC heard that a councillor’s wife was waiting “almost six months” for the cancer testing results, which was far in excess of the UK target of 80% of results reported within four weeks.

Downpatrick SDLP rep, Laura Devlin said: “Just last month we heard the devastating news of around 17,000 women living in the Southern Trust area are to have their smear tests re-checked.

“The system is failing women here in Northern Ireland.

“We all know of women who have lost their lives from the disease and how quickly it can spread when undetected.

“To wait for this news is frightening and is unacceptable.

“Early detection and effective management is absolutely not in proportion for women in the Southern Trust area over a period of some 13 years.

“These women have been severely let down, they took the important step and got tested and thought they were out of the woods, but that may not now be the case, which is a very frightening situation for many.

“The Royal College of Pathologists in their damning report give call for tests being reviewed, for those most at risk, but the Southern Trust is not doing this.”

The motion from Cllr Devlin will seek an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the Royal College of Pathologists report ‘We Can End Cervical Cancer’ from the Department of Health.

Currently, Northern Ireland is behind the rest of the UK in how it has been screening for cervical cancer as it uses an old model called cytology screening instead of the new HPV screening.

The cytology-based screening looks for abnormalities in the cells whereas HPV screening looks for the human papillomavirus (HPV) which causes cervical cancer.

The Department of Health has said primary HPV testing is on course to be introduced this December.

According to the NHS, the use of HPV screening is a more accurate test and was endorsed by a Royal College of Pathology report in February 2023.

Slieve Gullion UUP councillor, David Taylor added: “This issue has caused very, very serious concern and the numbers of women affected by it is enormous.

“I certainly hope that the trust will take all the actions they need to try and address and reassure anyone that has been affected by this.

“There are general concerns even about the length of time taken on tests. I have spoken to my wife on this matter and she had a smear test and is still waiting on results nearly six months later. And that shows that there is a serious flaw and faults in the system.

“The recent announcement by the trust on the review adds to that fear and concerns about this.

“I certainly hope that they will address this matter in the manner that is required and take other measures to ensure that something like this never happens again.”