§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women have taken cervical smear tests in the Sunderland, Durham and Hartlepool areas in each year since 1985.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe available information is not precisely in the form requested. Centrally, information is collected on the number of smear tests performed by the laboratories in the district health authority rather than the number of women, resident in the district, who were tested. Some districts will therefore record no smears examined where there are no laboratories in their area. The available information is given in the table. The hon. Member may wish to approach the respective District Health Authorities for further information.
Cervical cytology—number of cases examined District health authorities 1985 1986 Sunderland, Durham and Hartlepool 36,063 34,340 Note: A woman who was tested more than once was counted on each occasion, but where more than one smear was taken from the same patient at the same session, they were counted as one test.
§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures are being taken to encourage women living within the area of Durham, Sunderland and Hartlepool area health authorities to have cervical smear tests.
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§ Mrs. CurrieWe are committed to reducing deaths from cervical cancer and have asked all health authorities in England to implement, by 31 March this year, computerised call and recall systems to invite women to have cervical smear tests. Most health authorities, including Durham and Sunderland, already have their systems in operation. I understand that Hartlepool health authority plans to extend its existing recall system to provide a call facility from 1 April. For details of further measures taken to encourage uptake in these districts the hon. Member may wish to write to the chairmen of the respective health authorities.