Sir, – We welcome the publication of the final report of the scoping inquiry into the CervicalCheck programme. Dr Scally’s careful examination has highlighted serious systemic flaws that enabled the non-disclosure of the results of standard clinical audit, resulting in unnecessary harm as well as a loss of faith in this life-saving programme.
As public health medicine doctors in Ireland, we particularly welcome Dr Scally’s recognition that, “Public health programmes, like screening, vaccination, tobacco control or infectious disease surveillance, require a skilled and valued public health workforce.”
Most of all, we welcome the opportunity this recommendation advocates to use our skills and expertise to promote and protect the health of the whole population.
We share Dr Scally’s hope that this and all recommendations of the scoping inquiry will be acted on quickly by the Government to enable this and all Irish public health programmes to deliver the outstanding service that everyone in Ireland deserves. – Yours, etc,
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Dr GERALDINE
McDARBY,
President,
Association of Public
Health Registrars of Ireland,
Rahoon,
Galway.