News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

The correspondence expressed extra concerns about how free repeat screening would be 'damaging for programme and patient confidence'

Screening service raised concerns over repeat tests

Wider concerns by the HSE's National Screening Service about the Government plan to offer free repeat testing to women over the CervicalCheck crisis are revealed in new documents obtained by RTÉ News, under the Freedom of Information Act.

Health • 09 May 19

The HSE and two labs were successfully sued over the misreading of cervical smear tests

Morrissey case could have 'major impact' on screening

A cancer specialist has said a High Court judgment in the case of a terminally ill Limerick woman could have a "major impact" on how screening programmes are delivered.

Health • 05 May 19

Ruth Morrissey and her husband Paul were awarded €2.1m in damages on Friday

Labs are 'looking at somebody's life' - Ruth Morrissey

Ruth Morrissey, who won her High Court action over the misreading of smear tests and the failure to tell her about it, has said the main thing was that the labs were found accountable.

Ireland • 05 May 19

Vicky Phelan said the Scally report has provided a template for a screening system that will save lives

Cervical screening delays 'unacceptable' - Phelan

Campaigner Vicky Phelan has said delays in the cervical screening process are "unacceptable".

Ireland • 25 Apr 19

Simon Harris accused Stephen Donnelly of making 'false political charges'

Harris says he stands over smear retest decision

Minister for Health Simon Harris has said he stands over his decision to offer a repeat smear test to women at the height of the CervicalCheck crisis.

Politics • 12 Apr 19

All women were told they could request a free smear test

Simon Harris stands over position on smear test advice

The Minister for Health has stood over his position that he was not advised against the decision to offer a free smear test to every woman in the country.

Health • 03 Apr 19

The HSE remains concerned over the length of time being taken for reporting of cervical smears

Most new smear tests expected to be sent to US lab

Most new CervicalCheck smear tests are expected to go to US laboratory Quest Diagnostics, to allow the other main laboratory in Ireland to clear its backlog of tests, RTÉ News has learned.

Health • 02 Apr 19

Just 200 results have been reported to women by Quest Diagnostics

More than 2,300 women await repeat smear test results

A US laboratory used by CervicalCheck has rechecked just 7% of re-submitted smear tests.

Health • 27 Mar 19

Dr Gabriel Scally said the existing open disclosure policy was deeply contradictory and unsatisfactory

'Flawed' open disclosure policy still in place - Scally

A new report from Dr Gabriel Scally has found that the policy on open disclosure, which he said has been judged to be deeply flawed, remains in place in the health system.

Health • 22 Mar 19

Dr Scally's first report identified serious gaps in the expertise and governance of the CervicalCheck screening programme

New Scally CervicalCheck report due soon

The second report into CervicalCheck issues by Dr Gabriel Scally is due soon, after a spokesperson for the Minister for Health said that Dr Scally had sought additional time to complete his report.

Health • 05 Mar 19

Micheál Martin said the Minister for Health had been warned of the negative impacts of the decision

Free screenings 'undermine' cervical programme - Martin

The Government's decision to offer free out-of-cycle screening to women during the CervicalCheck controversy has cost €10 million and has undermined the programme, the Dáil has heard.

Politics • 13 Feb 19

The HSE has expressed concern over the length of time being taken by laboratories to report on smear checks

Second Scally report to be completed within days

The second report from Dr Gabriel Scally into some outstanding issues with laboratories in the United States that were involving in the CervicalCheck screening service may be completed within days, an Oireachtas committee has heard.

Health • 13 Feb 19

Simon Harris said he took steps to end the free programme when he was advised to do so

Minister defends free smear test offer despite backlog

The offer of a free smear test to every woman in the country, regardless of whether they were due one or not, was the "appropriate decision", the Health Minister has told the Dáil.

Politics • 06 Feb 19

Ruth Morrissey and her husband Paul are suing over cervical smears taken in 2009 and 2012

'Unacceptable' to describe smear test as negative

An expert on cervical screening has said it was "unacceptable" that a cervical smear taken from Limerick woman, Ruth Morrissey in 2009 was described as "negative" when it was patently clear that it was abnormal.

Courts • 31 Jan 19

Expert says some cells on woman's smear test 'abnormal'

An expert on cervical screening has told the High Court that some cells on a cervical smear taken from Limerick woman Ruth Morrissey in 2009 clearly showed signs of abnormality.

Courts • 30 Jan 19

Terminally ill woman's High Court legal action resumes

Lawyers for a Limerick woman who is suing the HSE and two laboratories over the alleged misreading of cervical smears, have told the High Court that if she had known earlier about a review showing smear tests were reported incorrectly, the recurrence of her cancer could have been spotted sooner.

Courts • 29 Jan 19

6,000 women are likely to be called for a repeat smear test

HSE in letter to GPs, staff over cervical test issue

The HSE's National Screening Service has issued a letter to doctors and other staff, explaining that the latest cervical screening problem relates to the years 2015 to 2018.

Health • 25 Jan 19

Vicky Phelan was diagnosed with cancer three years after her smear test results of 2011 were incorrectly reported

Cervical screening under the microscope once again

When Vicky Phelan spoke on the steps of the High Court on 25 April last year, she opened a Pandora's box of controversy around the cervical smear test programme, which the Government has still not been able to close

Analysis and Comment • 24 Jan 19

CervicalCheck was informed that one part of the two-stage test is being carried out outside the manufacturer's recommended timeframe

6,000 women to be recalled for cervical screening

The acting Clinical Director of the Health Service Executive's cervical screening programme has said 6,000 women will be contacted by the end of next week and advised to return to their GPs for repeat smear tests.

Health • 24 Jan 19

Issue arose over time limits in which tests were completed

What is the latest CervicalCheck issue about?

Up to 6,000 women will likely be called for a repeat smear tests, RTÉ's Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers explains why.

Health • 24 Jan 19

The HSE said it would 'shortly' be in a position to communicate with the women affected

HSE says up to 6,000 women will need repeat smear tests

The Health Service Executive has confirmed that up to 6,000 women will likely be called for a repeat smear test following the identification of an issue with HPV tests.

Health • 24 Jan 19

Vicky Phelan was giving a keynote address at a conference for young women in Dublin

Vicky Phelan says she is an 'accidental' leader

Women's health campaigner Vicky Phelan has described herself as an "accidental" leader.

Ireland • 19 Jan 19

The High Court was told the HSE had suggested mediation

Woman agrees to mediation in CervicalCheck case

A 55-year-old Dublin woman with cancer who has sued over the alleged misinterpretation of her CervicalCheck smear tests has agreed to mediation talks in her legal action.

Courts • 16 Jan 19