Vol. 535 No. 5
158 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting times for women between the taking of cervical smear tests and being informed of the results of those tests; and if he will distinguish between the waiting times in the different health board areas. [13076/01]
The information sought by the Deputy in respect of all health boards is not readily available to the Department. I have written to the chief executive officers of the health boards seeking details of the waiting times for women between the taking of cervical smear tests and being informed of the results of those tests and I will forward same to the Deputy as soon as possible.
159 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting time for women who have been deemed in need of cancer treatment resulting from the current breast screening programme. [13077/01]
BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme, was launched in October 2000. Phase 1 of the programme has commenced in the Eastern Regional Health Authority, Midland Health Board and North-Eastern Health Board areas and offers free mammography to women aged between 50 and 64 years living in those areas.
Women who attend for screening will receive their results by post within three weeks of their mammogram. Women being recalled will receive an appointment for an assessment clinic within two weeks of being notified. To minimise anxiety the programme aims to issue all invitations to arrive one or two days prior to the assessment clinic appointment. Women with biopsies will be invited back to a results clinic held not more than one week after assessment. If requiring hospital admission women will have their diagnosis fully explained by the clinician and will be offered a hospital bed within two to three weeks. A women's charter has been developed so that women will know exactly what they can expect from the programme.
