Parliamentary Review Committee report on cervical screening programme released

An external review of the National Cervical Screening Programme has been released.

The Parliamentary Review Committee reviewed the operation of the national screening programme and its evaluation activities. The Committee was established in late 2014 and conducted the review in the first half of 2015.

The National Screening Unit welcomes the Committee’s report, which highlights programme successes and identifies key areas to further strengthen the programme.

The five key recommendations are being progressed within the NSU’s current work plans – for example, a project is in place to develop the policy for HPV as a primary test. The remaining recommendations are being reviewed and work plans will be implemented for them.

An amendment to the Health Act in 2004 legislated for regular reviews of the programme, and the previous review was in 2011.

The full report, including its recommendations, is available for download here.