GP waiting times putting women off cervical screening

Screening invites are currently sent to women aged between 25 and 64, but some are not taking up the offer.

 

NHS records show 4.6 million people, or 30 per cent of those who are eligible, have never been screened for cervical cancer or are not up to date with their tests.

 

Although surveys have found that women are sometimes too embarrassed to come forward or delay because they are anxious, charities say struggling to book their tests due to GP backlogs will not help the situation.

 

Administered by a GP or nurse, the test involves taking a small sample of cells from the cervix to check for certain types of HPV infections.  High-risk types of HPV can cause abnormal tissue growth which can lead to cancer.

 

A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care, said “We are expanding the number of settings for screenings, opening up 24/7 laboratory screening so people get results faster, as well as making appointments available during the evening.”

 

An NHS spokesperson said they had carried out “3.5 million cervical screening appointments in 2021/22, an increase of 9.4% since before the pandemic, and a record number of people have been invited for screening in the last year.”

 

Samantha Dixon, chief executive of charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said “If vital appointments like cervical screening become harder to access there is the very real potential that women could give up or be put off attending.

 

“Screening can already be difficult to attend, for example due to past trauma or fears, and we should be making it easier to access not adding new challenges.

 

Through screening and the HPV vaccination we can eliminate cervical cancer, but that day will get further away if screening update falls.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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