§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking or proposes to take, to ensure compliance with his policy in respect of cervical cytology, that all women over 35 years should be screened once every five years.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe recently issued policy guidelines which suggested ways in which health authorities could encourage women over the age of 35 to come forward for a smear test and ensure that all sexually active women were regularly screened. Health authorities are themselves responsible for operating the cervical screening programme and we have asked them to monitor its effectiveness.
§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking, or proposes to take, to ensure that all women who have had positive smear tests receive recommended treatment or are speedily asked to return for a second confirmatory test.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe responsibility for following up an abnormal or positive smear result is primarily for the clinician who initiated the test, supported by the health authority. I am sure that all clinicians take this responsibility seriously and act accordingly.