Screening of cervical cancer samples in the State is set to resume shortly following a six-month interruption caused by a cyberattack, according to the lab performing the work at the Coombe hospital, Dublin.
Plans are being developed to resume screening “in the coming weeks”, said the Coombe, once IT systems are restored and interim cover is put in place for a staff absence.
All cervical cancer samples from Irish women this year have been sent abroad for screening, The Irish Times reported on Monday, despite promises in the aftermath of the CervicalCheck controversy to beef up lab capacity at home.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said on Monday he was "not happy" about the pause in cervical screening in the Coombe. "We need to make sure that these samples are being screened in Ireland. That's what the Government is committed to. And that's what needs to happen."
Sinn Féin health spokesman David Cullinane said the Government had given a commitment to process more cervical samples in Ireland, this clearly wasn't happening and it needed to explain why.
Screening stopped at the Coombe last December 16th due to the cyberattack, according to the hospital, and links to CervicalCheck were severed.
“Following the cyberattack, the hospital has had to go through a process of restoring its internal IT systems, followed by extensive security testing prior to restoration of its external connectivity, which has recently been achieved.
“Additionally, our principal cytopathologist is currently unavailable and the hospital has been working on putting in place contingency to cover this unavailability to allow it to recommence taking samples.”
Over 250,000 sent overseas
Last year, the Coombe lab tested about 40,000 samples, while more than 250,000 were sent to the US for testing by Quest Diagnostics. Since the cyberattack, Quest has been processing all Irish tests.
Asked what staff have been doing since screening stopped last December, the hospital said they have been working on “maintaining proficiency” and providing significant support to lab colleagues following the cyberattack.
The lab employs 26 staff on the provision of HPV screening and reporting of smears. This is due to increase when a new lab building is completed shortly as part of a plan for the Coombe to take on the reporting of most cervical screening samples.
Asked whether staff were suitably qualified to process samples and lead the lab, the hospital said only staff meeting “required reporting criteria” can report on behalf of the Coombe. While the principal cytopathologist is unavailable, a qualified interim clinical lead in cytopathology is reporting to a clinical consultant leadership group.
