Mid Ulster MLA Linda Dillon says women must be kept updated during smear testing review

Speaking after meeting with the Southern Trust regarding the cervical smear testing review, the party’s health spokesperson said: “I attended a meeting with the Southern Trust and raised our concerns about the women affected by the cervical smear testing review.

“The trust confirmed that the review of all 17,500 tests will begin on Monday 30th October 2023 and we have told them that this must be carried out in a timely, accurate and safe manner.

“This review has caused great anxiety amongst the women affected. The women must have full access to all information about this process from start to finish so they know what is happening and why.

“HPV, the most modern and accurate method of testing for cervical cancer, must now be rolled out in every Trust across the north as a matter of urgency.

“The north is currently the only region in these islands which has not fully rolled out HPV testing. This is unacceptable.

“Despite this, I welcome the Department of Health’s commitment that HPV testing will begin in December.

“We need the Assembly restored now and all parties working together to ensure this is delivered. We also need an Executive restored to deliver a women’s health strategy which begins to address health inequalities facing women today.”

The Trust recently stated that review followed an independent assessment of its cervical screening services from January 1 2008 and October 2021.