Debate contribution: Cervical Screening Scandal Inquiry

Debate contribution by Mr Alan Chambers on 3 November 2025.

MLA: Mr Alan Chambers
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 3 November 2025
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Cervical Screening Scandal Inquiry
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5213616

Text

I begin by acknowledging the women and families at the heart of the matter, in particular the two ladies who sadly and tragically passed away. We must never lose sight of the fact that, behind every report, process or statistic, is a woman whose life may have been profoundly affected by the issues that we are discussing today. Women's courage and resilience, particularly that of those who have spoken publicly and those represented through the Ladies with Letters group, deserve our respect.
This is undoubtedly a very complex and deeply concerning episode for our health service. The scale of concerns raised about cytology performance in the Southern Trust laboratory over a period stretching back to 2008 is incredibly serious.
The very essence of a screening programme is trust: trust that systems are robust, and trust that, when problems arise, they will be confronted swiftly and transparently. That trust was damaged, and it is right that apologies have been made, particularly when it comes to the previous finding of persistent underperformance in laboratory work, which simply had to be fully investigated. The enormous screening review, which involved looking at results from 17,500 women, raised the anxieties of many, but it had to be done. It was essential that the concerns were raised and acted upon appropriately. Whilst we all probably would have wished for it to conclude slightly earlier, given the importance of the issue and the scale of the concerns that were raised, it was better for the review to be done properly rather than hurriedly. I very much welcome the finding that the vast majority of results were sound. Nevertheless, since the initial Royal College of Pathologists report in 2023, there have been a number of very important changes. HPV testing has been fully introduced, offering a more accurate and reliable primary screening system, with cytology acting as the secondary test. Of course, Northern Ireland is now operating a single regional laboratory service that provides improved oversight and consistency. Those are substantial reforms that put patient safety at the forefront. Further reports are due imminently that, I hope, will help us to understand not only what happened but how oversight failed, how warning signs went unnoticed and how we prevent anything like that from ever occurring again. I urge all colleagues to approach the reports responsibly and, especially, not through a political lens but with the seriousness that the women affected deserve. The Minister, in particular, will need to give the reports' findings very careful consideration, because, at some point in the coming months, a decision will be required to consider which of the various options available to him are needed to establish accountability and to ensure that such failures never arise again. Commissioning a public inquiry is, of course, one of those options, and I have every confidence that the Minister will not shirk his responsibility in picking the right option. It is also critical that we protect the future, and that means protecting confidence in cervical screening. That screening saves lives. That is not an opinion; it is clear evidence-based fact. Screening reduces the risks of cervical cancer by detecting cell changes early, long before cancer develops. I cannot stress this strongly enough: I encourage every woman who receives an invitation to attend screening to do so. The improvements that we have made mean that the system is stronger now than before. We owe it to the women who have suffered distress to ensure that others are protected. When concerns are raised, it is essential that they are acted upon. There have been a number of reports already and more are expected. Each and every one will need to be read in its entirety to help to determine the next steps. I again pay tribute to every woman and family involved, including those who have so bravely spoken up in recent years. Again, I applaud the commitment of the Ladies with Letters group.

656 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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