THE Health Service Executive has confirmed a backlog of over 60,000 smear tests in the wake of the CervicalCheck scandal – with waiting lists up to 18 weeks.

The HSE recorded a surge in testing after the government offered retests in May for anyone concerned about previous cervical cancer tests.

New figures revealed on RTE Radio One show that processing time has more then trebled and some women are waiting 18 months for their test results.

More than 86,210 smear test samples are still in progress and not yet reported, compared to the usual around 23,000 samples expected to be in progress at a time.

Between May and December this year, 42,469 repeat smear tests were taken, according to the HSE.

A spokesman said: “We would like to apologise to those patients affected and assure them that everything possible is being done to improve the situation.”

Ann Kelly, 42, from Co Cork waited 17 weeks for the smear test results which ended up being inconclusive.

She told RTE she is facing another long wait for the results of her re-test.

Ms Kelly said: “Seventeen weeks already waiting and another 17 weeks, which is eight months waiting for a simple smear result.

“I feel they really do need a shake up here, something has to be done soon.”

The mum-of-four called her GP every two weeks for updates, and a CervicalCheck staffer told her it was unfortunate that re-tests were being administered in the summer months when staff were taking holidays.

The HSE said that they are making plans to increase smear test turnaround.

He said: “As part of our on-going negotiations with the laboratories we are trying to source additional screening capacity within the laboratory network, which would help improve the turnaround time.

“We hope to be able to announce some additional capacity in the coming weeks.”

Labour Spokesperson on Health Alan Kelly said that Health Minister Simon Harris’ announcement to roll out free retests universally was “probably the wrong thing to do”.

“The women who need the screening – women who are being referred for screening or actually it was their time slot to be screened – are now all being impacted.”

Kelly said that Minister Harris announced the retests for the right reasons but “in a bit of a panic”.

Earlier this week, a support group for the more than 220 women affected by a cervical cancer screening scandal in Ireland was launched.

The group, 221+, which promises help and support to women suffering from cervical cancer after misreported smear tests, was launched by prominent campaigners Vicky Phelan, Stephen Teap and Lorraine Walsh.