Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has called for greater transparency on the past failures in cervical screening in the Southern Trust.

The party’s health spokesperson said:

“The cervical screening failures have profoundly undermined public confidence, especially among the 17,500 women who tests were reviewed. Transparency, accountability, and restoring confidence are vital moving forward. 

“At yesterday’s health committee briefing on the cervical smear review, it became very clear there remains many unanswered questions.

“The women impacted, and their families, deserve to know what happened and how these failures were allowed to persist for over a decade 

“Women need to have confidence in the screening process and the department, trust and Public Health Agency must make this a priority.

“While we continue to seek answers and accountability, I want to emphasise that smear tests save lives. Women should continue to attend their screenings as they remain a critical tool in the fight against cervical cancer. 

“It is essential that we do not let these failures deter women from accessing this life-saving service.”