Application for free cervical screening has been resumed

The Cancer Society says it’s “time to get serious” about women’s health as a parliamentary inquiry calls again for free cervical screening.

It comes after Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand’s (HNZ) response to the fourth parliamentary review of the National Cervical Screening Programme, HNZ warned it would not be able to deliver a free screening program without additional funding.

Otago and Southland acting chief executive Nicola Coome said the society supported the review, calling for free screening and treatment.

She said it was disappointing to hear that HNZ had not budgeted for this.

“If our national health system can’t provide a free screening program that they know saves lives, then maybe it’s time for someone else to take over their budget.

“It’s time to take women’s health seriously and expand access to both the HPV vaccine and screening programs.”

The review was conducted last year and released last month.

It contained 31 recommendations, including reiterating the 2018 review’s recommendation that cervical screening should be free for all.

“Guardian barriers perpetuate cervical cancer injustices that undermine Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities,” the report said.

In line with all other cancer screening programs in New Zealand, he recommended a fully funded cervical screening program by next year.

“Currently available free screening funding does not meet the requirements to reach all priority people and the method of allocation is confusing for some service providers.”

Since the screening program began, there has been a steady improvement in cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates, but in the past few years the results have plateaued and even declined in some areas.

All the recommendations were made in the context of the imminent transition from cervical smears to the possibility of self-testing for HPV later this year.

The report also describes the “significant impact” of the Covid-19 pandemic, in which around 30,000 young people have not received the HPV vaccine.

HNZ said it accepted the recommendations but needed more funding to implement some of them – particularly the provision of free screening.

“NCSP is constantly working to identify opportunities to provide this additional funding,” the audit response document said.

“Now that the report is published, we will undertake a process of consultation and engagement with our partners in the health care system, including key external representatives.”

This will lead to a final action plan later this year.

Fiona Ellis