HC Deb 16 June 1988 vol 135 cc285-6W
Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many health authorities have suspended or diminished cervical cancer screening tests during the current year; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

By April of this year all district health authorities in England had implemented computerised call and recall systems for cervical cancer screening. Health authorities are not required to report temporary suspension or reduction of the screening programme to the Department. However, we know that a small number of DHAs have taken action of this kind when problems have arisen in their laboratories. Those of which we are aware are:

Winchester DHA and Basingstoke DHA—routine call and recall suspended because of shortage of laboratory staff in Winchester. Every effort is being made to find a laboratory to examine smears on a temporary basis until more staff can be recruited. Basingstoke expects to restore full service shortly.

  • Bassetlaw DHA—reduced rate of call at present to allow clearance of laboratory backlog.
  • East Dorset DHA—suspended call and recall during April but now restarted.