The HSE has yet to make contact with eight women who were diagnosed with cervical cancer and affected by the CervicalCheck audit. 

209 women are being treated as priority cases since the scandal broke over two weeks ago. Seventeen of these women whose cases were reviewed have since passed away, although their cause of death is unknown.

The HSE has confirmed that direct contact was made with 201 women or their families in order to arrange meetings. The Irish Independent reports that officials have been unable to track 8 of the affected women.

The 209 priority women are those who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer and whose tests could have provided a different result.

Limerick mother Vicky Phelan brought the controversy to light after her High Court case against a US laboratory and the HSE for incorrectly testing a smear test resulting in a missed cancer diagnosis. The 43 year old is now terminally ill with cervical cancer.

Since Ms Phelan’s case hit the headlines, over 11,000 calls have been made to the CervicalCheck helpline from women concerned about their smear test results.  To date, 3,649 calls have been returned by staff.

“Our priority is women with specific clinical queries or a history of cervical cancer,” the HSE said.

If your cervical screening test (smear test) results were normal you do not need an urgent smear test. More information is available at: www.cervicalcheck.ie