Cost, staff shortages may block screening

Press, 10 September 1988, Page 8

Cost, staff shortages may block screening

A shortage of qualified people and the cost could make a national cervicalcancer screening programme difficult, said the president of the Hospital Boards Association, Mr Tom Grigg. Mr Grigg attended yesterday’s meeting of representatives of hospital and area health boards and the Minister of Health, Mr Caygill. It was called by Mr Caygill to discuss the implications of Judge Silvia Cartwright’s report on the treatment of cervical cancer at National Women’s Hospital. Mr Grigg said hospital and area health boards agreed with the principles behind the report’s recommendations. But the shortage of qualified people could make a national screening pro-

gramme, as recommended in the report, more difficult, he said.

“It is up to the Government to provide the money but it could take

years to build up the number of qualified staff required for such a programme.” A changed system of patient advocacy, similar to the official inspectors and visitors used in the psychiatric services, was suggested and agreed to at the meeting, he said. A change in the composition of hospital board ethical committees to include more lay people was also suggested. Mr Grigg said that most boards had ethical committees, but they should be encouraged for all boards.

He said the meeting had discussed changing procedures to include more explanation of medical problems and treatment alternatives to patients.