5. Debate on petition P-06-1243 Reinstate cervical screening to every three years

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:39 pm on 19 January 2022.

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Photo of Jenny Rathbone Jenny Rathbone Labour 3:39, 19 January 2022

On 4 January, Public Health Wales announced this important enhancement to the cervical screening service. Whilst it was disappointing that they failed to provide some context as to why this was an improvement, rather than a reduction in service, hindsight is a wonderful thing. And I can see why a change that was introduced nearly two years ago in England and Scotland was not deemed to be controversial in any way. This was following what the experts had told us was the best way of approaching this particular service. Clearly, it's entirely to be regretted that over 30,000 people were sufficiently exercised by what they were persuaded was a cut in service, rather than an enhancement, to sign this petition. But, really, I don't think that persisting with this inaccuracy is at all helpful.