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Eight women who developed cervical cancer were wrongly diagnosed as negative by a Southern Health Trust screener, a study has found.

Slides from a further eleven women previously determined not to be at any risk showed cancerous changes in the cells when reviewed.

More than 16,000 women in the region had a smear test between 2009 and 2023 have their results assessed after an independent report concluded that “a significant number of women would likely have had a negative screen” that would have been classified as abnormal in other laboratories.

The data showed that 207 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer by the trust in the last 14 years, with 12 women diagnosed by a screener as negative for cancer or with an insufficient result.

Of the twelve impressions, eight were inaccurate. The eleven identified as pre-cancerous were part of the broader cohort who did not develop cancer.

Every year, around 80 women in Northern Ireland are diagnosed with cervical cancer, of which 20 die. Screening, including examination of the cervix to check for precancerous lesions, can prevent seven in 10 people from developing the disease.

The review began in October 2023 following an independent report from the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPATH) which found “persistent underperformance” in the work of some laboratory screeners.

An investigation and subsequent commissioning of the report followed the suspected misdiagnoses of three women, raising alarms of serious adverse events. Two of the women, Lynsey Courtney and Erin Harbinson, have since died.

Dr. Stephen Austin, medical director of Southern Trust, said the Cervical Cytology Review Outcomes report shows that “for the vast majority of women included in the review, their original outcome did not change”.

“The purpose of the review was to check that the original result was correct and to identify anyone who may have received an incorrect result,” Dr Austin said.

“While it is reassuring that the vast majority of previous smear tests have been reconfirmed as normal, the review has identified eleven women who are now receiving follow-up care from our gynecology services.

“We recognize that the deficiencies in the cervical cytology laboratory extend beyond individual staff members and include system failures. The Southern Trust and PHA want to ensure these failures never happen again.

“I would once again like to sincerely apologize to women and their families for any distress caused by this assessment process and the publication of the outcomes report.”

Stella McLoughlin, from the campaign group Ladies with Letters, said what happened was an “absolute scandal from start to finish” and is calling for a public inquiry.

“Smear tests are being misread, people are not being held to account, screeners are not being managed properly – all of this is impacting real people,” Ms McLoughlin told the BBC.

A total of more than 17,500 women were approached with the question whether they would like to inspect the screening results. More than 95% agreed or could be contacted.

Dr. Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “In parallel with the review carried out, significant improvements have been made to the Northern Ireland Cervical Screening Programme.

“The primary HPV method for cervical cancer screening is now being used in Northern Ireland, which has increased our ability to detect early cell changes that could lead to cancer.”