Alliance Lagan Valley MLA Michelle Guy has criticised the slow pace of the ongoing investigation into the cervical screening scandal within the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, stating that the rate of progress has not been "fast enough".

Her comments come just hours before the Alliance Party is due to debate a motion in the Assembly today, Monday, 3 November 2025, calling for the Health Minister to establish a statutory public inquiry into the matter.

The scandal, which broke more than two years ago, involved 17,500 women being informed that their smear tests were under review. The failures resulted in misread smears which led to eight women developing cancer, and 11 others requiring pre-cancerous treatment. Tragically, two women have lost their lives.

Ms Guy asserted that continuing delays in reviews and investigations are adding to the stress and anxiety of the impacted women and their families.

Ms Guy said: "Every woman impacted by the cervical screening scandal in the Southern Trust deserves truth, transparency and accountability as the bare minimum. Quite frankly, the rate of progress has not been fast enough. "More than two years on now since this scandal broke, when 17,500 women were informed that their smear tests were being reviewed, misread smears have resulted in eight women developing cancer, and 11 others requiring pre-cancerous treatment. Two women have lost their lives.

"Continuing delays in investigations and reviews are compounding the frustration, stress and anxiety experienced by these women and their families. We want to commend the Ladies with Letters campaign, who continue to work tirelessly to see this wrong righted, and we reiterate their call on the Health Minister to establish a statutory public inquiry to uncover the full truth, establish accountability, and ensure such failures never happen again.

"People must be able to place their trust in our health service fully and without reservation. That trust in the cervical screening programme has been eroded, and the Department of Health must act urgently, without any further delay, to restore it."

A spokesperson for the 'Ladies with Letters' campaign, which the party is commending, added their support for the motion: "Ladies with Letters would like to thank the Alliance Party for bringing this motion to the chamber to support our call for a Statutory Public Inquiry to be initiated by the minister.

"An inquiry is what is necessary to uncover the truth, establish accountability, and ensure such failures never occur again. We are also extremely grateful for the continued support offered by all parties."