§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to introduce human papilloma virus testing as part of the National Cervical Screening Programme; [142867]
(2) for what reason the plan to pilot human papilloma virus testing for women has been delayed until March 2001; [142874]
(3) what representations he has received concerning the need for human papilloma virus testing as part of improvements to the National Cervical Screening Programme. [142873]
§ Yvette CooperThe National Health Service cancer plan sets out our commitment to introducing new developments to the cervical screening programme. Plans to pilot the new techniques in liquid based cytology (LBC) and human papilloma virus (HPV) testing are highlighted in the plan as the means for informing service improvement.
276WAfter receiving advice from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in June 2000, we decided to pilot LBC and HPV jointly. A joint protocol was developed which will provide more useful information and be more convenient for women as a number of tests can be carried out from the same sample. Sites in England have now been chosen and the joint pilot will start in March 2001.