The Academy of Clinicial Science and Laboratory Medicine said the decision to outsource the analysis of cervical smear tests to the United States in 2008 was “shortsighted”. The Medical Laboratory Scientists’ Association (MLSA) said both then had no interest in developing Irish testing and, instead, wanted to award the contract aboard. Irish laboratories were not able to bid for later tenders because 60 laboratory scientists had been deployed to other work, the association said. Cervical screening was first introduced in Ireland in the 1960s. Four regional screening centres backed by primary and colposcopy care were needed, along with a single standard test and faster processing of cervical smears.

Source: The Irish Times May 23, 2018 10:18 UTC