§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list those recommendations contained in the report of the inquiry into cervical cytopathology at Inverclyde royal hospital, Greenock which(a) have been implemented already, (b) he will implement within the next six months, (c) are to be introduced within 12 months and (d) are not to be implemented; and if he will make a statement.
(2) when he expects to receive a report from the chief executive of the NHS in Scotland concerning the response of the Argyll and Clyde health board to the findings and recommendations contained in the report of the inquiry into cervical cytopathology of Inverclyde royal hospital, Greenock; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 21 October 1993]: The Government have indicated their acceptance of the broad thrust of the recommendations contained in the McGoogan report and is proceeding to implement those directed at the Scottish Office Home and Health Department. The aim is to implement these as quickly as is practical but the process involves consultations and discussions with professional bodies, health boards and trusts on the details. Of the seven recommendations addressed to the Department the Government have already announced the decisions to set up a central co-ordinating unit for cervical screening at an estimated cost of £100,000 per annum; to fund the Scottish proficiency testing scheme at an estimated cost of £20,000 per annum and to issue guidance to health boards and trusts on the proposals in respect of training, staffing, health education and rationalisation of laboratories. The membership of working groups on quality control and guidelines for reporting perceived discrepancies has still to be confirmed.
For those recommendations directed to the Argyll and Clyde health board and its laboratories, the report of the task force set up by the board to advise on the action to be taken is expected to be formally submitted to the management executive by the end of October.
The Government are determined to ensure that progress on implementation proceeds as quickly as circumstances allow. The position will be continually monitored.