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Cervical Cancer: Northern Ireland

Asked by Jim ShannonDemocratic Unionist PartyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 8 April 2025UIN 43050

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he had with his Northern Ireland counterpart on lowering the smear age for women.

Answered by Ashley Dalton

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has had no conversations with his Northern Irish counterpart on lowering the age of cervical screening. The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) advises the administrations of all four nations on aspects of screening, including age thresholds. However, the implementation of any UK NSC screening recommendation is a devolved matter.

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