On Monday 3rd November, the Assembly considered a motion highlighting the lack of transparency and immense delay in investigating the cervical cancer screening scandal by the Department of Health and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust. SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has echoed the call for a full public inquiry to uncover the truth and reform the system to ensure that this never happens again.
McNulty paid tribute to the Ladies with Letters campaign for their determined and persistent advocacy in bringing this unacceptable violation of women’s health and trust to light.
Mr. McNulty said:
“My heart goes out to all the patients and families harmed by this utter failing by our health service. A public inquiry would be the first step towards regaining the trust of those women who have had their faith in our healthcare system completely destroyed.
These women have suffered immense trauma, not only from the initial failures of cytology staff, but also as a result of a continued lack of trauma-informed practices that have impacted them and their families throughout the review, particularly those women who received serious adverse incident reports, and the families of Erin Harbinson and Lynsey Courtney, who tragically lost their lives as a result of this scandal.
It’s shocking and sad that this failing happened in the first place, but then to have enflamed the issue through denial, delays, and distraction is inexcusable. All women need to have total faith in the screening process and that can only be achieved through a public inquiry where all failings and learnings are identified and addressed and those impacted get the answers they deserve.”
ENDS
CLANRYE NEWS 