Cervical screening

[OhTheTastyNuts]

Hi

Has anyone managed to get a smear test done recently? I was due to have mine in December, but there was no nurse available to do it at my GP surgery. I finally got an appointment at a local (walk in?) clinic in March, but it was cancelled as Lockdown started.

My appt is now 6 months overdue and I'm starting to worry. I just called my GP surgery and they are not booking appointments for smear tests and have no idea when they will resume. But national guidance said appointments could be made from the 6th of this month.

Has anyone else experienced similar?

Thanks

[Time2change2]

No but watching with interest because I am in exactly the same position as you!

[OhTheTastyNuts]

None of my local sexual health clinics are open either!

[Windyatthebeach]

Had mine last week. Results maybe 2 weeks not one the nurse said..

[LadyFeliciaMontague]

Our surgery has restarted, have you contacted the place where your cancelled appointment was? Is there a sexual health clinic near you?

[LadyFeliciaMontague]

Xpost sorry

[OhTheTastyNuts]

The clinic where I had the appointment will only take bookings from the GP, you can't book with them directly. And they are currently closed!

[Windyatthebeach]

Is a bit more off putting than usual as the nurse approached in full on protective outfit!
I bathed honestly!!

[HarrietOh]

I got a letter from my GP back in April saying the screening programme was paused but I was welcome to make an appointment for in 6 months time.

[Lindy2]

I'm in exactly the same position. I got the booking letter but delayed booking the appointment as my period is a bit irregular (age related) and went AWOL for a few months. Just as my cycle returned and I felt I would know when a good time to book would be we went into lockdown.

I'm not sure if appointment have started again yet. I'm rather nervous about going into the health centre.

[Sew3stitch]

I had mine at GP during lockdown so screening has continued throughout. I know that's not helpful to you but shows the different approaches across the country. (Mine was due a year ago when I was pregnant so very glad to have finally had it done- I understand why you wouldn't want to delay any further!)

[LilyE1234]

I wasn’t due for my next smear until December but had some concerns so rang the GP. The GP saw me last Wednesday and I’ve got a gynae appointment this Wednesday. They advised me that regular smears would be starting again within the next couple of weeks.

[TokyoSushi]

I was due in October so similar here, hope they get going again soon!

[Catastrofuck]

I was due whilst pregnant but have just given birth. GP is restarting smears but prioritising those with previous issues as you might expect. Hopefully I will get called for mine in the autumn/winter

[Firef1y72]

I had mine done about a month ago, and my (all clear) result within a week.

[zaffa]

Mine was delayed last year as I was pregnant and finally had it in March - unfortunately my sample was contaminated so they could tell I was HPv positive but not if there have been any been any changes. I had to wait three months to get rescreened and luckily the GPS have started the service again - it's been an agonising wait as I've also had periods every two weeks due to starting the mini pill (apparently) and have convinced myself that now being 18 months late (I was three months overdue when I unexpectedly fell pregnant) and the frequent periods along with the change in flow means something is amiss (despite the logical explanation being that it's the pill).

I don't think I would have coped in your situation OP - mine is tomorrow and I've been counting down to it since mid April. I'm terrified of the results though.

Could you speak to the GP directly? They're so important and really need to be prioritised.

[cptartapp]

Practice nurse here. We are doing them again but lots of things are important. Blood monitoring, childhood vaccinations etc, a routine smear isn't really a 'priority'. We are still covering each other's roles with people off sick, shielding etc, and most staff have a backlog of annual leave to start taking. We are also having to limit the number of patients in clinic at one time due to social distancing.
I think people will have to adjust their expectations about how quickly things will be anywhere near back to normal.

[zaffa]

@cptartapp that's a very fair point - i didn't really think of that and you're very right. We all have different priorities and it's easy to focus on only our ones. I hope that it gets easier for everyone

[OhTheTastyNuts]

Thanks everyone. It's interesting to hear how different things are in different areas.

The person I spoke to on the phone today (receptionist) was quite vague and unhelpful. No option to book for 6 months' time. No waiting list. Just 'we don't know when it will happen, call back in a few weeks'.

[Lockdownmum1010]

My surgery are doing them again now. Was due for one in October when I was pregnant, and have managed to make an appointment for later this week

[Laniakea]

a routine smear isn't really a 'priority'.

^ that’s interesting considering there are frequently threads on mumsnet stating it is utterly irresponsible for women to decline smears!

[Beebyonthewold]

My surgery has very recently started doing them again, and they prioritised me for an appointment as mine was a few months overdue. So hopefully you’ll be seen quickly once your surgery starts up again

[cptartapp]

Lani they're important of course. But in the scheme of things considering the now increasing demands on a currently limited service and risk v benefit, a routine three or five yearly smear is not the very most important thing during a pandemic.

[SoapyChoc]

I had mine done today. I booked the appointment 2 weeks ago

[tootyfruitypickle]

Mine was due in March. I’ve had bc before so really want it done. I rang up last week and they said wait a couple of weeks, so think I’ll wait until onset next period and call again to get an appt for when I should be off it.
My last period lasted 3 weeks which is another reason to get it done
I’m hoping they’ll prioritise me because of my medical history

[tootyfruitypickle]

I’m definitely at far higher risk of new cancer than of covid .