Responding, Carla Lockhart MP said:

‘‘This new and improved form of screening already takes place in Great Britain and the Irish Republic and I am delighted that it is now being rolled-out in Northern Ireland. This is something I have been pressing for alongside colleagues for a number of years and in the wake of the recent Cervical Screening services review in the Southern Trust this news will be welcome by all women and health professionals across Northern Ireland.

HPV primary screening is a way of testing the sample of cells taken at your cervical screening (smear test) appointment. It tests for a virus called high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause cervical cell changes to develop into cervical cancer. This form of testing in Northern Ireland will act as a vital weapon in our armoury against cervical cancer. Statistics tell us that on average more than 20 people locally die from cervical cancers every year and behind each death is a family stricken with grief. We must do everything we can to ramp up detection and drive down cervical cancer rates in our Province. It is a proven fact that HPV primary screening is a more accurate test than cytology. This means it is better at detecting cell changes overall, as well as detecting them earlier. 

It goes without saying that screening will not be effective if women do not come forward when invited by their GP or clinician. Therefore I would urge everyone is eligible or at risk to attend what are potentially life-saving appointments. This new form of testing will greatly transform our cervical screening program in Northern Ireland and will ensure that results are achieved within weeks as opposed to the current system where it can take up to 6 months.’’

DUP Assembly Health Spokesperson Paul Givan MLA added:

‘‘While this is a huge milestone in the battle against cervical cancer locally, it is worth remembering that Northern Ireland is late implementing the new testing because of pressures in our health budget. This may also be the reason our Province is behind the curve in terms of rolling out the national lung cancer screening programme recommended by the UK National Screening Committee. 

Such inequalities between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom should never be tolerated. They are the result of the Treasury funding public services in Northern Ireland below our assessed need. That must change going forward. 

If we want to ensure patients locally can access high-quality initiatives and treatment in a timely manner - and transform health and social care more generally – it is vital that the Government provides the financial firepower that the Executive and Assembly lacks.’’