Vicky Phelan, the campaigner who helped highlight the government’s failings over cervical cancer screening, is to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Limerick (UL).
Phelan, whose High Court case was responsible for exposing the recent cervical screening controversy, will receive an honorary doctorate on Tuesday, June 26th, at the Irish World Academy.
Phelan studied French at UL and later worked for the university. In a Facebook post, UL said that Phelan was receiving the doctorate “in recognition of her exceptional commitment to improving women’s healthcare in Ireland”.
Earlier this year, Phelan settled a case in the High Court with a US lab that had incorrectly reported a smear test as clear, resulting in her cervical cancer going undiagnosed. The case called into question the accuracy of a number of smear tests conducted by the HSE, leading to a scandal that eventually prompted the resignation of HSE Director General Tony O’Brien.
Since the case, Phelan has campaigned for greater transparency from the Department of Health and the overhaul of the HSE and appeared before the Public Accounts Committee recently, saying: “I want to see accountability and I would like to see a legacy that this will never happen again to any woman, man or child in this country.”
Honorary doctorates at UL are conferred on foot of nominations from the UL community. Candidates are nominated as a result of academic distinction, exceptional achievement or outstanding service to the university.
Previous recipients of honorary doctorates from UL include Mary Robinson, John Hume and Terry Wogan.
