Dr Gabriel Scally has paid a touching tribute to the late Vicky Phelan at the launch of his last progress report on the CervicalCheck controversy.
Ms Phelan blew the scandal wide open when she brought her case of mistaken diagnosis to the High Court in April 2018 and crucially refused to sign an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement).
Ms Phelan sadly passed away after her long battle with cancer earlier this month.
Read More : Energy companies in Ireland accused of 'outrageous profiteering’
Her campaigning led directly to the launch of an inquiry into the CervicalCheck screening programme errors that saw more than 220 women receive false negative screening results.
These women all had cancer, but were mistakenly told they were clear.
Dr Scally said: “The recent death of Vicky has been a moment of national sadness, a sadness which I share.
“She was the first person I spoke with after my appointment to carry out the Scoping Inquiry.
“Vicky’s enormous courage, dignity and determination changed cervical screening in Ireland for the better.
“In addition, she pushed forward the whole arena of women’s health and highlighted the crucial issues of openness, truth and honesty in communication between health professionals and patients.
“I am, as are we all, in her debt.”
Dr Scally delivered his final progress report on the implementation of the recommendations of his inquiry which he first presented in 2018.
Dr Scally reported “substantial progress” but also found that there were areas where “improvements can be made.”
The clinical expert said that the “duty of candour” which he called for has not been acted on and he said that he regrets that victims of the scandal still feel they have to go to the courts for justice.
Dr Scally said that the testing at a lab in the US was good, but he called for a back-up system.
And he said that the new service being developed in the Coombe women’s hospital was welcome, but he also called for a back-up system to be put in place here too.
READ NEXT :
Irish student's killer caught after forensics expert caught key missed detail
'You didn't deserve to die' - Double tragedy in Irish county with locals stunned
Young woman found seriously injured on side of road as gardai investigate
Ryan Tubridy teases Late Late Toy Show is ‘best I've ever seen’ as show nears
Dermot Kennedy lights up Grafton Street as thousands turn up to 'secret gig'
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
