Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has said the Southern Trust must ensure women are kept updated during the ongoing review of cervical smear tests.

The party’s health spokesperson said:

“The trust must ensure women affected by the cervical smear review are kept updated, including regarding any delays they are dealing with.

“To date, over 16,000 women are still waiting to be notified about the result of their smear test review.

“This is unacceptable and again demonstrates women’s health services across the north are not fit for purpose.

“It is welcome that HPV, the most modern and accurate method of testing for cervical cancer, was rolled out across the north in December. 

“We now need an Executive and Assembly restored with a Health Minister at the wheel to deliver a women’s health strategy and begin to address health inequalities facing women today.”