§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has given advice to the new district health authorities on the introduction of local cervical cytology recall schemes.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergUntil the new district health authorities came into being on 1 April 1982 it is for area health authorities to make the necessary arrangements for local cervical cytology recall schemes. I have asked regional health authorities to ensure that the guidance that I announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Withington (Mr. Silvester) on 21 December 1981.—[Vol. 15, c.297]—is brought to the attention of the shadow district health authorities.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the national cervical cytology recall scheme is to be wound up; and what provisions will be made for local schemes to be introduced.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend, the Member for Manchester, Withington (Mr. Silvester) on 21 December 1981.—[Vol. 15, c.297.]
§ Mrs Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make resources available for a special pilot project to motivate previously unscreened women to accept cytology screening tests.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI recognise the importance of encouraging women who are over 35 and have never had 337W a cervical test to come forward for screening. We are considering a proposal by the Women's National Cancer Control Campaign for a pilot scheme aimed at reaching such women. We are also discussing with the Health Education Council how publicity programmes might more effectively reach women at greatest risk.