Cervical cancer: Less than 2% of smear tests re-checked so far
- Published
The slides re-checked belong to women whose cases were prioritised
Less than 2% of slides due to be re-examined as part of a major review into the Southern Health Trust's cervical screening service have been so far been checked, BBC News NI has learned.
Thousands of smear tests dating back to 2008 are to be re-checked.
The 200 slides belonged to women whose cases were prioritised.
Letters confirming the outcome of those reviews will be issued "soon", the Southern Trust said., but it said no further details can be provided yet.
It is not clear how many slides will have to be reviewed, but it is believed clinicians have estimated it will be a total of around 13,000.
This figure could change as women who attend for new smear tests receive an all-clear result.
It follows a highly critical report commissioned by the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath).
It found:
Several cytology staff, who check smear test specimens in a laboratory setting, were "significantly underperforming"
Mechanisms to check their work were flawed
Action taken by management was inadequate over many years
The report recommended that women considered most at risk should be recalled so they can be reassured by a negative HPV test.
Broadly, these women are those who had a negative or inadequate result during the 13-year period of the review and have not had any tests since.
'Potentially abnormal'
While a majority of negative results issued were correct, a "significant number" of these would likely have been identified as "potentially abnormal" by other laboratories.
In October, BBC News NI revealed about 17,500 women in Northern Ireland are to have their smear tests re checked as part of the review.
More than 4,000 of those women were recalled for a new smear as their previous slides could not be read.
The review was initially delayed when the Southern Trust was unable to secure a lab in Northern Ireland to check the slides.
However, the review has now been under way for a month.
Figures reveal only 200 specimens have been reviewed, with more scheduled for this week and the weeks ahead.
Two accredited laboratories in Northern Ireland are being used to review slides, as well as undertaking routine cervical screening.
The Southern Trust said Craigavon Area Hospital laboratory is waiting for reinstatement of its accreditation, which is expected "very soon".
Disappointing uptake
Figures are also disappointing for uptake among women for repeat smears.
To date, 1,066 women have been contacted and offered a repeat smear appointment.
A total of 991 patients were booked for an appointment.
However, the majority - 676 women - have so far have either declined the offer or, according to the trust, accepted but did not attend their appointment.
Three hundred and fifteen women have attended a clinic for a repeat smear test and are due to receive their results within six weeks of their clinic date.
Follow-up letters are being sent to women who did not attend their appointment to offer them the opportunity to come for an alternative appointment.
When contacted about attending for a review, 184 women requested to opt out of the process entirely.
Staffing issues
BBC News NI understands that on more than one occasion clinics were closed when several women turned up for their appointments.
There are also problems employing nurses to staff the clinics, which means existing staff having to work additional hours.
Due to the low uptake at weeknight smear test clinics, the Southern Trust said it has decided to concentrate the clinics at weekends when attendance has been much better.
A spokesperson said: "We also plan to provide clinics in other locations across the trust including Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry, after Christmas.
"We encourage women to attend their appointment or to confirm if they do not wish to accept the offer for a repeat smear test."
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