§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received from the medical profession with regard to frequency of smear tests for cervical cancer. [42291]
§ Mr. SackvilleNone of which I am aware.
§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost to the NHS of conducting, analysing and reporting a cervical smear test; and what is the private sector cost of conducting, analysing and reporting a cervical smear test. [42293]
§ Mr. SackvilleTotal estimated costs to the national health service of cervical screening is £100 million each year and £40 for an individual test, including the reporting of it.
Information is not available centrally on these costs in the private sector.
§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the cervical cancer screening programme. [42294]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe cervical cancer screening programme has been extremely successful. Some 4 million women are screened each year; this means that 84 per cent. of women in the eligible age group nationally have been screened. Through screening, cervical abnormalities which could lead to cancer are identified so that appropriate treatment can be given. I am confident that our "Health of the Nation" target to cut cervical cancer incidence by 20 per cent. by 2000 will be achieved.
§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recommendations he has received from the chief medical officer regarding the frequency of smear tests for cervical cancer for women aged between 20 and 60 years. [42290]
§ Mr. SackvilleDepartmental policy agreed with the chief medical officer is set out in HSG(93)41: all women in this age group should be invited for a cervical smear at least every five years.
§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each of the past five years and for each family health service authority area(a) the number of women who received a smear test for cervical cancer on the NHS, (b) the percentage of women in the at-risk category who have received a smear test, (c) the average interval of time between smear test and (d) the number of GPs and clinics, also expressed as a proportion of the total number of GPs and clinics at which NHS smear tests were available. [42292]
§ Mr. SackvilleInformation is not available in the form requested. The most recent information held on the cervical cancer screening programme, "Cervical Cancer Screening 1993–1994 Summary information from Form KC53 England", was placed in the Library.