Question reference: S5W-09673
- Asked by: Mairi Gougeon, MSP for Angus North and Mearns, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 14 June 2017
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Current status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 22 June 2017
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase cervical screening coverage.
Answer
Increasing coverage in the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme is a key objective for the Scottish Government and that is why up to £5m of funding from the Cancer Strategy 'Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action' 2016 is being invested in our screening programmes, including cervical screening, to reduce inequalities and improve uptake, particularly amongst those less likely to participate in screening.
Officials are currently working to establish a network, involving clinical and academic experts from across Scotland as well as organisations such as Cancer Research UK and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to identify new activities, learning from local practice and innovation, to help improve screening coverage.
Scottish Government officials meet cervical screening coordinators from all NHS Boards on a quarterly basis to discuss a range of issues relating to the national screening programme, including promoting screening services and initiatives to improve uptake. NHS Boards have responsibility for publicising screening within their local area and for working closely with their communities to increase screening uptake.