§ Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many health authorities have in operation cervical cancer call and recall schemes covering all women at risk.
§ Mrs. CurrieCervical cancer screening for women at risk is routinely offered by all health authorities. Many have had their own call and recall system operating for many years on computer or manually.
On 29 April 1985 we asked all health authorities to ensure that computerised call and recall systems were installed. At that time our guidance to health authorities was that they should give priority to women aged between 35–64. To date, 75 health authorities have a computerised system installed and in use.
In February this year we asked health authorities to rationalise their existing arrangements for screening younger women by ensuring that call and recall began at age 20. Nineteen of the 75 who already have computerised systems have now met this requirement. We have told all health authorities that we expect them to meet all our requirements by the target date of 31 March 1988.