Private smear test

[user1494605116]

I can't cope with the waiting time for NHS smear result. I'm considering of going private. Does anyone know the places which offer smear test privately in Edinburgh area?
Thank you in advance!

[Musicaltheatremum]

Have you tried GP plus which is in town or the Edinburgh clinic in Colinton Road? However I'm not sure what labs they use so the results may not come any faster. And a smear is a screening test not a diagnostic one so if you have symptoms then a smear is not what you need.

[flumpybear]

Doesn't take that long plus the nurse can advise if visually she's worried

[Crumbs1]

The thing with smears is they need to be read by someone who does it a lot and whose work is benchmarked. The smear could be done privately (but not as skillfully as a practice nurse) but test would be sent to the same lab for reading. The private smear would not have priority.

[user1494605116]

Many thanks to the lovely people who responded to my post! Actually, I posted it on behalf on my daughter who has been waiting for smear result over 6 weeks.If, for some reason, her sample had gone missing and she would have to retest again, we can't cope with this wait again. Hence, I'm doing some homework for her. Most website re test result says it takes 2 weeks in average. Is it slower in Scotland than England?

[Musicaltheatremum]

I'm in Lothian and I think it's quicker than 6 weeks. Not at work now (in Palma airport lol) phone surgery Monday and get them to phone lab.

[NovaArt3mis]

Have you phoned GP practice? My Edinburgh based NHS smear letter always comes back in a couple of weeks.

[Ilovewheelychairs]

Definitely ring the GP practice. They get the results at same time as your letter is sent out; I didn't get my letter once and I rang my GP who just advised all was normal. Abnormal results would come through more quickly usually, and if you hadn't contacted by your GP to make an urgent appointment, they would have rung you to ask you to.

[user1494605116]

Thank you so much for advice! I'll get my daughter phone GP practice on Monday and take it from there. x

[MissBax]

Is there a reason you're particularly anxious about it? Has she been having other symptoms? Try not to feel so anxious, it will probably worry her even more!

[user1494605116]

Thank you so much for your advice! She has no symptoms, just a routine (first) smear. Think you're right I might be feeding my anxiety to her. A few years back, I myself had a major health scare by misdiagnosis, Since then I have lost confidence in NHS and suffer from health anxiety. I must calm down, I know x

[MissBax]

I really wouldn't worry then, the chance of there being any issues with a first smear is VERY rare. By going for a private you'll definitely be instilling anxiety in her. It's normal to wait for results :) don't worry xx

[user1494605116]

Hi update to this smear saga. My daughter phoned surgery up and whoever she got on the phone said she couldn't access the result because she didn't know how the system worked. Just wait for the post.I sent my husband who is a little bit more pushy than my daughter. Receptionist checked the record and they didn't have a record and told him to come back in 5 days then they could investigate. However, a couple of hours after he got back, my daughter received the result by post- all normal. Relieved but drained! Many thanks for all the advice xx