Eight women diagnosed with cancer after smear test misread

Thousands urged to get tests rechecked

A recent review revealed that eight women who had their smear tests misread went on to develop cancer. In addition, eleven more women had pre-cancerous changes to cells and required treatment after their slides were reevaluated. The Southern Health Trust identified these cases during a major review of cervical screening, prompting over 17,000 women to have their smear tests rechecked.

Management failures and missed diagnoses

The review found that some screeners underperformed and went unchecked by management for years. This led to the misreading of smear tests and delayed diagnoses for some women, potentially impacting their treatment outcomes. The Southern Health Trust has issued an apology to those affected by these oversights, recognizing the need for improved oversight and accountability.

Impact on individuals and families

Stella McLoughlin from the campaign group Ladies with Letters described the situation as a scandal, highlighting the devastating impact on individuals and families. She emphasized the need for accountability and proper management to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The trust acknowledged the anxiety caused by the reevaluation process and expressed a commitment to learning from the experience.

Next steps and potential inquiry

An independent expert review led by Allan Wilson will further examine the findings of the review, with the possibility of a public inquiry pending the health minister's decision. Lessons learned from this incident have already prompted improvements in screening processes and laboratory services. The goal is to prevent similar misreadings and delays in diagnoses moving forward.