More than 83 per cent of CervicalCheck samples were processed in private international laboratories last year, new figures show.
Under the programme, women aged 25 to 29 are offered free HPV cervical screening every three years, with this increasing to every five years for those aged 30 to 65 years old.
According to figures from the screening service, there were 220,677 samples processed last year. Of these, 186,574 were handled in US-based Quest Diagnostics, while 34,103 were processed in the public, domestic National Cervical Screening Laboratory.
Furthermore, all 139,758 BowelScreen samples taken last year were processed at private domestic laboratories.
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The figures were released to Sinn Féin health spokesman David Cullinane, who has called for the service to increase the use of public, domestic laboratories.
A spokeswoman for 221+, a patient advocacy organisation established following the CervicalCheck scandal, said the group appreciates the work done to open and increase capacity at the National Cervical Screening Laboratory.
“We would like to see the majority of samples processed in Irish labs as soon as possible,” the spokeswoman said.
“What is of greater importance, however, is that all of the testing, at all locations, is done safely in properly accredited labs with strong quality assurance processes in place.”
She added: “We also recognise that there will likely always need to be a second international lab, to ensure that there is a continuation of screening if anything interrupts service at the NCSL.”
A spokeswoman for the Health Service Executive’s national screening service (NSS) said it works with contracted laboratory providers in accordance with public procurement rules.
“Our contracted laboratory providers include both domestic and international facilities that have demonstrated compliance with all programme operational requirements,” the spokeswoman said.
“The NSS maintain rigorous oversight through regular meetings, continual assessment of laboratory quality assurance standards, and physical inspections. The public can be reassured that the same high-quality level of service is provided by each facility.”
