The Minister for Health Simon Harris has insisted the former head of the CervicalCheck programme did not warn him about offering women free out-of-cycle smear tests before he announced the initiative last year. Speaking on Wednesday morning, Mr Harris said there were concerns raised after the announcement was made. He said he had made the decision to roll out the free repeat smear tests, at the height of the cervical cancer controversy last year, in line with the advice of his chief medical officer and department officials. We had sent in new management.”Mr Harris said it was bizarre to suggest that women had gone for repeat smear tests at the time because of any decision he had made. He said women were going to their doctors to seek repeat smear tests to provide reassurance.

Source: The Irish Times April 03, 2019 10:52 UTC