Women in Northern Ireland are having to wait up to 16 weeks for the results of potentially life saving smear tests.
The tests are used to screen for cervical cancer and are provided to women aged 25-64.
It is understood the delays are due in large part because the Department of Health didn’t train enough people to read the tests and has had to bring in outside help to deal with the backlog.
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A woman, who has asked not to be named, told us: “I learned about the delay when I went for my first smear test since the pandemic.
“I’m not sure how long it’s been since I had the last one, but it was quite a while before we had lockdowns and smear tests were cancelled. I’m sure it has been well over the recommended three years.
“To be honest it didn’t really shock me because the health system hasn’t been delivering for people for a long time. But it really is ridiculous.
“The delay could mean any woman who finds out she has cells that could become cancerous has to wait so long to find out, never mind get treatment. It’s just not good enough.
“The nurse who did my test couldn’t have been nicer,” she added.
“They were very apologetic about the delay and told me it was because there weren’t enough staff trained to read the results and said they’ve had to bring in outside help to try and cut the waiting time.”
Health Trust targets mean they are supposed to report the results of 80% of smear tests within four weeks.
The BBC reported last year that all five Trust were breaching their target, with women having to wait up to 12 weeks for a result.
Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency say early detection can prevent eight out of 10 cases of cervical cancer.
They told us: “The PHA is aware laboratories are experiencing delays with regard to reporting of cervical screening results.
“This is due to a number of factors – backlogs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, capacity (staff redeployed to other duties and vacant posts) and general pressures on wider pathology services. The issues and timings may differ slightly by lab.
“Screening processes and outcomes are monitored on an ongoing basis as part of the PHA’s quality assurance mechanisms, which include monitoring any change in trends during this period of delays in lab reporting.
“All cases of diagnosed cervical cancer are also individually reviewed and women are offered the opportunity to receive the outcome of that review.
“Due to the backlog in the testing and reporting of cervical screening samples, the PHA has put in place interim arrangements to escalate those samples identified as potentially being of higher risk to ensure they are assessed more quickly.
“The interim model uses a combined, two-step process involving high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing as a method of triage, as well as the existing cytology investigation (examination under a microscope).
“All samples are being tested for hrHPV as a first step. Those specimens that are hrHPV positive are being prioritised for cytology investigation. Nearly all cases of cervical cancer (99.7%) are caused by hrHPV.
“The arrangements aim to help manage the clinical risk associated with the current backlog by enabling identification of those samples which may present a higher risk, and also stabilising laboratory provision while allowing time to complete planning for the anticipated move to full implementation of primary hrHPV testing in Northern Ireland.
“Since the cervical screening programme was first introduced in Northern Ireland in 1988, many lives have been saved. Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented thanks to screening.
“It is estimated that in a well-screened population, eight out of ten cervical cancers can be prevented, so the PHA urges everyone who receives an invitation for screening to attend for their smear test.”
The Department of Health was contacted for comment.
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