Northern Ireland cervical screening programme

Northern Ireland’s cervical screening programme will be significantly enhanced by the full introduction of primary HPV testing, which is more sensitive than cytology-based screening. We can confirm that we are on course for full introduction of primary HPV testing by December 2023. Detailed work on implementing and testing the underlying IT systems is being taken forward as an urgent priority.

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This will be a new era for the cervical screening in Northern Ireland. It should also help facilitate the removal of the current backlog for reporting smear test results.

The findings detailed in the report published today by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust are clearly unacceptable.

The Department is closely monitoring the actions being taken at Trust and regional level in response to the RCPath recommendations.

We would assure women that Northern Ireland’s cervical screening programme remains highly effective overall.

It is essential that women keep coming forward for their cervical smear test when invited to do so. This will continue to save lives.

Notes to editors: 

1. The RCPath report is available on the Southern Health and Social Care Trust website.
2. For media enquiries please contact DoH Press Office by email: pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk. 
3. Follow us on twitter @healthdpt.
4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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