To ask the Minister of Health for an update on his Department's next steps following the publication of three cervical screening related reports by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.

It is clear from the work undertaken to date, including the recently published reports, that there were issues with the Southern Trust’s laboratory cervical cytology service, including screener performance and their management. There were also issues relating to the Quality Assurance function which the Public Health Agency provided. Both the Trust and the PHA have apologised for these failings and the harm they caused.

While the recently published reports have provided further clarity and answers, some of the findings in the reports do not necessarily align with previously published reports. This does not mean that the findings set out in any one report are taken account of more, or less so, than the findings in the other reports but reflects that

cervical screening is complex and can be quite technical.

I have asked Professor Sir Frank Atherton, previously the Chief Medical Officer in Wales, to undertake a review of all of the work completed to date.

Professor Sir Frank Atherton is completely independent of the cervical screening programme in Northern Ireland, and he will provide his expert advice directly to me, independent of the Trust, PHA and my Department. It is expected his work will be completed in early 2026.

I must stress that the cervical screening programme has changed over the last few years. The primary test in the current pathway is now HPV, which is then followed by cytology for those samples that test positive for HPV, this pathway is expected to find 90% of abnormalities; there is one regional laboratory, and the PHA quality assurance role has been augmented. I would urge all women to come forward for screening when they are invited to do so. Screening saves lives.