§ 10. Mr. Iremongerasked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the progress made in routine tests for cervical cancer.
§ 79. Mr. Goodhartasked the Minister of Health what plans he has now made for the establishment of cytology detection centres on a national or regional basis.
Mr. BrainI would refer my hon. Friends to my reply on 4th May to the hon. Member for Dearne Valley (Mr. Wainwright).
§ Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Health whether the expansion of the cytological examination service to form a national screening service for symptomless patients for the purpose of diagnosing cervical cancer would be a public health responsibility or the responsibility of the hospital service.
§ Mr. BarberThe provision of the laboratory facilities required before such a service can be introduced is the responsibility of the hospital service. Arrangements for the routine examination of symptomless women will vary from one area to another and will be discussed locally.
§ Lord Balnielasked the Minister of health whether he will make a statement about the progress being made in the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board area towards establishing a cytological examination service available to clinicians and general practitioners for the purpose of detecting cervical cancer in its pre-cancerous stage.
§ Mr. BarberThe Board has provided a service in one hospital group for both hospital patients and referals from general practitioners; and in 13 groups for hospital patients. The Board has under consideration extending the service to cover both categories in all the groups.
§ Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Health what is the estimated cost of 21W establishing a national screening service for cytological examination of symptomless patients with the purpose of diagnosing cervical cancer in its precancerous stage.
§ Mr. BarberI regret that at this stage no reliable estimate of the cost of a comprehensive scheme can be made.