Smear review campaign group call for public inquiry

Ladies with letters represent some of the women who were to have their smear tests re-checked

A campaign group set up after a major review of cervical screening was announced in the Southern Health Trust has asked for a statutory public inquiry.

Ladies with letters, who represent some of the women who were to have their smear tests re-checked as part of the review, met with the Health Minister Mike Nesbitt.

In October 2023, BBC News NI reported that about 17,500 women in Northern Ireland were affected by this review followed a highly critical report commissioned by the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath).

The Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said he fully appreciated that the report recommendations and the subsequent review have caused "upset and anxiety for many women".

'A public inquiry is the only way'

Tracey Bell from the group said they felt a statutory public inquiry "is the only way that those at the heart of this, the victims of the trust's failings, can have the opportunity to speak, to have their story heard, and to receive the answers and clarity that they deserve.

"It will also allow the Southern Trust to be investigated, to be compelled to answer, along with other agencies and specific individuals involved to explain the diabolical situation that was allowed to continue and was not addressed in that time period.

"This is what we feel it will take to reassure the public and to help restore some confidence in the cervical screening programme," she said.

The health minister confirmed that to date, the review has been completed for 99% of the women and that there are "140 slides waiting to be completed following a new smear test".

He acknowledged that there have been delays in some trusts completing their audits of invasive cervical cancer cases identified from 2019 onwards and with the sharing of these outcomes with some women.

He said work to complete outstanding audits is being prioritised by all trusts.

"Cervical screening saves lives, and it is essential that women keep coming forward for their cervical smear test when invited to do so as part of our well-established screening programme in Northern Ireland," said Mr Nesbitt.

"Primary HPV testing has been fully implemented into the screening pathway, meaning a new era has begun in cervical screening in Northern Ireland.

"Our screening programme is now using a test which is more effective at detecting those at higher risk of developing cervical cancer," he said.

Political representatives were also at the meeting with SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath, who supported calls from the group for an "independent statutory inquiry" and said he believes it is the "best way of ensuring we learn from this recall".

"These women rightly want answers around how this was allowed to happen and to ensure that nobody else is subjected to the same experience," he said.

"The Southern Trust conducted their own review into the circumstances leading to the recall, but given the trust is effectively reviewing its own processes and employees, I think it's fair that those impacted and the public would continue to have concerns.

"We have seen similar issues with recalls in other trusts across the North. I believe that an independent investigation is the best way forward and urge the Minister to listen to these campaigners and their experience," he said.