SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin
HPV causes 99.7% of cervical cancers and Ms McLaughlin has been campaigning for the change in testing to be brought in.
Said the Foyle MLA: “I am delighted that women in Northern Ireland will finally be able to avail of HPV screening for cervical cancers.
“This crucial step represents long-awaited progress and the care that has been denied to so many women who have been totally failed by the healthcare system.
“It will undoubtedly save lives and is a major milestone in our fight against cervical cancer.
“I have lost count of the number of women who have told me directly of the impact of delays when it comes to cervical screening.
“In recent months truly disturbing stories about the recall of smear tests and long waits for diagnosis have provoked understandable worry and anxiety among many women.
“I hope today’s news will mark the end of those delays and the removal of a barrier to earlier intervention which can prove decisive in treating the disease.
“Gynaecological health is one of the key issues facing women, including the many who responded to my recent survey on their experience of healthcare to provide personal and often heart-wrenching testimonies.
“Those stories often focused on long delays in diagnosis and interminable waits for treatment that characterise a system that is simply not working for many women who face hurdles to accessing the care that they are entitled to.
“The fact that women have been forced to wait this long for our health service to catch up is yet another example of why we need a funded Women’s Health Strategy to deal with all the barriers women face when accessing healthcare.
“Unfortunately, this issue is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the challenges women experience and if a new Executive is restored, I will be urging the next Health Minister to act on this important issue.”
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