We need to collect and store some of your personal information.
This includes your:
- name
- address
- phone number
- date of birth
- PPS number
- cervical screening history
- surname at birth
- mother's maiden name
Your cervical screening history can include:
- your test results
- colposcopy attendances
- treatments you've had
- biopsy results
- details on if you've had the HPV vaccine
We ask for your consent to hold and use this information each time you have a cervical screening test.
How we use your information
We use your personal information to write to you. We will contact you when your next screening test is due or when your results are available.
We also share your information with other health services that deliver the programme.
This includes:
- the GP, doctor or nurse who takes your screening test
- the lab who checks your sample
- colposcopy clinics
- the National Cancer Registry Ireland, if needed
This is to make sure we have an accurate record of your screening history. We also do it to see if screening is effective in reducing the number of cervical cancer deaths.
Teaching studies, reviews and quality assurance checks
We will never use your name in any reports, reviews, teaching studies or quality assurance checks.
We will keep your personal information safe and confidential. This is in line with current data protection regulations.
We may use your screening test sample in teaching studies, reviews and audits. This is to help improve our programme.
We may also use your information to invite you to take part in research. You can choose to take part or not.
We won't use your details without your permission.
Read more about the HSE data protection policy
Accessing your records
You can access your personal screening records.
You can also access screening records if you are:
- the next of kin of a deceased client of the screening service
- a solicitor representing a client of the screening service or their next of kin
Contact the Client Services unit in the National Screening Service. The contact details are below.
You will need to provide your:
- name
- address
- date of birth
- contact phone number, if we need to contact you about your request
- ID - a scanned copy or a photocopy of your passport, driver's license or public services card
You can request your CervicalCheck records, or submit a general query.
Please be as clear as possible about which records you wish to access. For example, if you want all your CervicalCheck records or only specific records.
We will let you know when we receive your request. We will contact you directly if we need any more information to process your request.
When we have all the information we need, we will process your request. We will send you your records within 30 days.
Previous screening test slides
You can request your previous CervicalCheck screening test slides for independent review.
Send your request in writing by email or by post to Client Services.
We will process your request in line with the National Screening Service’s slide release protocols. We can make these available to you.
Contact the Client Services unit
Please submit your request in writing by email or by post.
Client Services,
National Screening Service,
Kings Inns House,
200 Parnell Street,
Dublin 1,
D01 A3Y8
clientservices@screeningservice.ie
Open disclosure
We will communicate with you in an open, honest, timely and transparent manner if:
- something goes wrong with your care
- you experience harm as a result of your care
- we think that harm may have occurred
We will keep you fully informed about your participation in the cervical screening programme.
Read more about open disclosure
Private cervical screening test or colposcopy
We cannot receive any information or any details on your cervical screening history if you have:
- had a screening test as a private patient
- attended colposcopy as a private patient
We cannot access any information or results of tests you have had as a private patient.