Alliance representatives emphasise importance of regular cervical screenings during Cervical Screening Awareness Week.

Alliance MLAs Nuala McAllister and Michelle Guy emphasise the importance of regular cervical screenings in preventing cervical cancer during Cervical Screening Awareness Week (CSAW). Further stressing women must receive appropriate healthcare.  

Nuala McAllister Michelle Guy
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA said: “During Cervical Screening Awareness Week, we must raise awareness of the importance of regular cervical screenings. Cervical cancer can happen to any woman, and cervical screenings are the best way to prevent cervical cancer as early detection allows for early intervention.

“CSAW is also a reminder of the women who were failed by our health service in the Southern Trust when going for their screenings. It is timely that the Southern Trust, PHA and officials from the Department of Health are attending the Health Committee today (23 January) to update MLAs on this issue, and we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that lessons are learnt going forward.

“Women deserve access to appropriate healthcare, and the Department of Health must thoroughly address this breakdown in service to hold those responsible accountable and ensure that such a devastating, but preventable, incident does not happen again. Women’s health is far too important.”

Lagan Valley MLA, Michelle Guy added: “Cervical screenings are vital to help prevent cervical cancer amongst women, and CSAW reminds us it’s important to prioritise our health and I would encourage every woman who is invited to come forward for a cervical screening, to make an appointment with their GP without delay.

“While it is important for women to attend regular screenings, it is equally vital they are met with the appropriate healthcare. We must learn from the mistakes in the Southern Trust, where multiple women received misread screening results, tragically leading to some women losing their lives to cervical cancer.

“Alliance backs the ‘Ladies with Letters’ call for a statutory public inquiry into the Southern Trust. This is the only way to ensure concerns are accurately addressed, and until then there will continue to be a lack of trust in our health service.”