§ 2. Mr. Iremongerasked the Minister of Health how many women in the area served by the King George Hospital, Ilford, are at risk in respect of cancer of the womb; how many women a year can be given smear tests with the facilities at present available to them at that hospital; what developments are planned for an exfoliative cytology unit for them; and to what extent the limiting factor at present is staff and to what extent it is other resources.
§ Mr. LoughlinThe risk is highest among those aged 35 and over. There are 73,000 such women in the area, of whom 5,000 a year can at present be given tests. The intended addition of one technician at the hospital and the clinic facilities that are being provided should be sufficient for all women who wish to be screened.
§ Mr. IremongerWill the hon. Gentleman say how often a woman ought to be screened? From the figures which he gave, I reckon that one would need about six times the service at present available to have an examination once every two years for all women.
§ Mr. LoughlinThe aim of the service is to screen well women in the age group most at risk, and we hope to screen each woman once every five years.