39303 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

Written Question

Published date: 15 Jul 2024

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	39303 (2024)
Question asked:	01 Jul 2024
Member asking:	Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall
Portfolio:	Minister of Health
Minister replying:	Hon Dr Shane Reti
Answer received:	09 Jul 2024
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_39303_2024
Document guid:	b68786c1-2b66-48cf-a9e1-a05b21abdd2a

39303 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Will the Minister commit to funding free cervical screening for all eligible people, all the time?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that the current free cervical screening initiative is targeted towards groups with the greatest risk of developing cervical cancer and experiencing poorer outcomes. This initiative launched on 12 September 2023 at the same time as the new Human Papillomavirus (HPV) primary screening programme, with funding initially time-limited to 30 June 2024. On 3 July 2024, I announced that funding for this initiative will be ongoing. Coupled with the introduction of the option to self-test for HPV, this initiative has already significantly improved cervical screening rates for eligible people.