§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he is taking to increase capacity in health authority laboratories in Wales which handle cervical cancer smear tests; how many additional laboratory staff have been employed in each of the Welsh district health authorities to deal with cervical cancer smear tests in the past 12 months; what are the procedures for dealing with abnormal cervical cancer smear results; what private clinics in Wales give cervical cancer smear tests; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GristThe cervical cytology screening service is the responsibility of individual district health authorities. A total of £800,000 a year of central funds has been allocated to authorities in Wales to help them improve their cervical screening services. Laboratory staff and equipment are two of the uses to which these funds have been put.
Figures for the number of laboratory staff employed in 1987 are not yet available, but I shall write to the hon. Gentleman when they are to hand.
The procedure for dealing with abnormal cervical smear test results is a matter of operational policy for district health authorities to determine in the light of guidance given in Welsh Office circular WHC(86)31.
Information is not held centrally on smear tests in private clinics.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the average waiting time for the results of cervical cancer smear tests for each of the Welsh district health authorities for 1987; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GristThe Welsh Office is monitoring the cervical cytology screening service on an annual basis. The most recent information relates to the quarter ended 31 March 1987 and was given to the hon. Gentleman in my letter to him of 11 January 1988. As I also explained in that letter, the waiting times for results during the first quarter of 1987 do not reflect the impact of developments since then including the recurring allocation of the additional £400,000 to health authorities in 1987–88. Authorities have been asked to provide up-to-date information on the time taken to notify results in connection with the annual review of their performance which will take place in the summer.