The news breaking last week that some women were given incorrect clear results following cervical screening tests was shocking. These results were subsequently found to be wrong when some of the women later presented with symptoms or had a further test. The decision made not to tell all the women the truth was utterly appalling.

I was completely unnerved by the revelations. My sense of trust in the system totally shattered. That Monday morning on my way to school, I heard Dr David Gibbons talking about his experience on Morning Ireland. Anger, frustration, disbelief didn’t begin to describe what I was feeling.

My sense of security about my own cervical health could be an illusion created by a string of events and cover-ups within the system. What must it be like to get a phone call to say that there was evidence of pre-cancer cells in your cervix some years before? I don’t know how I’d cope.

Well done to Vicky Phelan for her dogged and tenacious fight with the system on behalf of all of us. And it all started with her reading her own file!

PROBLEMS FORECASTED

Ten years ago, Dr David Gibbons was chair of the Cytology/Histology group within the Quality Assurance Committee of the National Cervical Screening Programme. He and a number of scientists could see that there would be problems ahead, due to the outsourcing of some of the screening tests to other countries.

They made it known to the relevant personnel, which included the current CEO of the HSE. Nothing happened. Instead, the men’s’ concerns were ignored. They resigned. Surely that should have been enough to set off alarm bells?

The out-sourcing of the screening to foreign laboratories continued. Ordinarily that should not have been a problem, but the systems and frequency of screening were different. And so women are once again victims.

When Bridget McCole had to fight her case and lose her life due to the Hepatitis C scandal in 1997, people were shocked at how the state fought the case to the end.

I was one of the many women called for a blood test because I had received a blood transfusion in 1991. It was a worrying time. But other women continue to suffer.

A SORRY MESS

Last year, I had a smear test and I was also screened by Breast Check. I was happy that I’d attended to my responsibility in looking after my health. My former GP for many years used to say: “You are responsible for your own health and any clear test is only a measurement at that particular moment in time.”

Yet, when those letters came in the door, I felt an enormous sense of relief. As we get older, there is a greater responsibility on us to look after our health. The routines differ for men and women. Both my screenings were carried out by what seemed utterly professional teams. I got letters in the post to inform me that both checks were clear. That gave me peace of mind.

I know that my daughter Julie also had a smear test last year. I was happy that she was looking after her health. Now, what do I think?

The State will pay for another test if our GPs think it’s necessary. I imagine that any GP would immediately recommend it if the woman asked for it. Or should GPs just recommend re-screening for all their patients? Otherwise how will confidence be restored, so that women will continue having smear tests?

Consider the cost to the State of all the repeat checking, of a statutory enquiry and, furthermore, the backlog that it will create in the system. Women will suffer again while they wait in line. More cases will be delayed. Oh dear, it is a sorry mess.

All of this would be completely unnecessary if people had just told the truth and followed the policy of open disclosure. There should never need to be meetings about whether the patients should be told. It should be about how and who informs the client immediately.

My confidence will not be restored until I have a new smear test. So basically it is like starting the programme of screening all over again, because I’m sure most women will feel the same.

Nevertheless, we must acknowledge that thousands of lives have been saved because of the screening. For this reason, we must continue to have our smear tests and to hope that confidence can be restored in the system.

The information coming out continues to get worse by the day. While it is quite shocking, it will result in a safer and more robust screening programme, when all the issues have been addressed. We have to be positive.CL