Health (Cervical Screening Register) Regulations 1991

The information on the Register must be used by the CEO —

where possible, to provide for notification to women whose cervical cancer test results are normal, the appropriate time for their next test; and

where possible, to ensure that appropriate procedures are put in place for women whose test results are abnormal or unsatisfactory; and

to provide a linked record of results for every woman on the Register, which is available —

to the woman; and

to the persons referred to in subregulation (3) for the purpose of assisting in the diagnosis or treatment of the woman or determining when she should have her next cervical cancer test;

to provide comparative data from laboratories to encourage consistency of performance; and

to provide epidemiological data in order to —

monitor participation rates and patterns;

assist programme planning;

provide a data base for use in approved research into cancer, its alleviation and prevention;

increase public awareness by the publication of statistical profiles; and

assist the compilation of comparative data by any national organization approved by the CEO;

monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of vaccination programmes for the prevention of the human papillomavirus in women.

Data provided under subregulation (1)(e)(iv) or (v) must not contain any information which enables the identification of any woman in respect of whom data is held on the Register.

The record of results for a woman is available to the following people —

a medical practitioner who is, or was formerly, the woman’s medical practitioner;

a nurse or a midwife who is, or was formerly, engaged by the woman to conduct a cervical cancer test;

a person in charge of a laboratory engaged by or on behalf of the woman;

a member of the staff at —

the practice at which a medical practitioner, nurse or midwife referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) practices; or

a laboratory referred to in paragraph (c).