§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many women are pursuing legal claims against the Argyll and Clyde health board in respect of the mis-reading of cervical smear slides at the Inverclyde royal hospital; and if he will make a statement; [21663]
(2) how many compensation claims against the Argyll and Clyde health board's cytology service at the Inverclyde royal hospital, Greenock (a) have been settled and (b) are still outstanding; and if he will make a statement. [22724]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonA total of 16 legal claims are being pursued by women against Argyll and Clyde health board as a result of the mis-reading of cervical smear slides at the Inverclyde royal hospital. Eight claims have been settled and negotiations are under way to achieve a settlement in the other eight cases, two of which have been, or will be, given interim settlements.
668WThe Government are committed to ensuring that a service of the highest quality is available to women as evidenced by the issue of three key documents in Scotland during 1995; "Guidelines on Fail-safe actions", "Guidance to Health Boards on Purchasing for Cervical Screening" and the "Report of the Working Party on Internal Quality Control for Cervical Cytopathology Laboratories". The then Minister of State also announced the establishment of a central co-ordinating unit for the breast and cervical screening programmes in Scotland, and a national co-ordinator was appointed in December 1995. Quality assurance guidelines for the cervical screening programme were issued this week, pulling together many of the initiatives which have been undertaken at a UK level.
This is being copied for information to the hon. Member for Renfrew, West and Inverclyde (Mr. Graham).