Lack of respect shown to women at centre of Cervical Check scandal appalling

Issued : Tuesday 11 September, 2018

Labour Party Health Spokesperson Alan Kelly TD has condemned the leaks of the Scally report before families affected by the Cervical Check scandal were briefed.

Deputy Kelly said:

“The leaking of the findings of Dr Gabriel Scally’s findings into the Cervical Check scandal show a complete lack respect to families impacted by the failings of the State and show up Department and Government more obsessed with spin than showing decency to those whose lives have been massively upset by this scandal. 

“Despite assurances to the contrary from Minister Harris to the families involved and myself, families impacted by the Cervical Check scandal have to read some of the findings of Dr.Scally’s report in today’s newspapers. 

“Yesterday, I was in touch with Minister Harris and told him that these families need to be briefed before the media, yet many women will be waking up to media alerts on their phones with this news this morning. This is reprehensible.

“I am appalled by the lack of respect shown to these women and their families. The women and their families at the centre of this have deserved better from the beginning, they have had to deal with setback after setback at the hands of this Government.”