Advertisement

DCU president to chair 'rapid review' of CervicalCheck IT issue

The president of Dublin City University (DCU) has been asked to chair the rapid review of the lat...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

13.48 15 Jul 2019


Share this article


DCU president to chair 'rapid...

DCU president to chair 'rapid review' of CervicalCheck IT issue

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

13.48 15 Jul 2019


Share this article


The president of Dublin City University (DCU) has been asked to chair the rapid review of the latest CervicalCheck controversy.

Professor Brian MacCraith will lead an independent review looking at "all aspects" of the issue, and will particularly focus on how the issues were communicated to the women affected.

He's due to provide a report to the HSE CEO by August 2nd - and is also being asked to inform the HSE chief if any "immediate risks or safety concerns" are identified.

Advertisement

It comes after it was revealed last week that around 800 women did not receive the results of their tests in recent months.

A lab run by Quest Diagnostics and based in the US state of Virginia had delayed issuing cervical screening results to some women and their GPs due to IT problems.

The CervicalCheck results were mainly for repeat tests for human papillomavirus (HPV).

It led to the HSE to order an "immediate and independent" rapid review of the situation.

Today, the executive said the review will cover the period from when the IT problem first emerged up until when details became public on July 11th.

HSE CEO Paul Reid said: "I have asked Professor Brian MacCraith, to act as independent external chairperson for this review, which I expect to be completed in a short number of weeks.

"Amongst the matters that will be considered will be how the communication process for providing results to women was planned and managed, and how this worked in practice."

He added: "We have worked hard to try to rebuild confidence in the cervical screening programme in Ireland, and the delays identified in recent days in providing results to women are not acceptable."

The HSE adds that Professor MacCraith will have access to any member of staff needed to complete the review.

Main image: DCU President Brian MacCraith. Photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Share this article


Read more about

CervicalCheck Dcu

Most Popular