Would you pay for a private smear?

[Hidingtonothing]

I'm overdue by about 12 months, have massive anxiety around medical appointments and particularly smears after a really horrendous experience with a practice nurse at my old surgery. They've closed my local FPC which was the only place I felt comfortable going and the swish new sexual health centre doesn't do smears.

Have been trying to book with nurse at GP's for months, can't seem to tie up my cycle with her availability and they won't book more than a few weeks in advance so every time I try she's already booked solid. Have found a place fairly locally offering private smears for £110, we're not well off by any means but could scrape the money together if we tried and they do Saturday appointments so DH could take me (he's away mon-fri) which would decrease my anxiety considerably.

But it feels a bit, I don't know, self indulgent (?) to spend money on something that only benefits me and I could technically get for free. But then I'm worried that it's overdue and I don't seem to be getting anywhere with GP so it's getting more overdue. I'm going round in circles with it and can't seem to make a decision so some outside opinions would be great.

Yes definitely.

When I called to booked a smear around my cycle, I was told it didn’t matter anymore and you could have one anytime during your cycle. Not sure if that was accurate or not but might be worth mentioning.

I think I’d go ahead and book a private one anyway, I have anxiety around medical things and waiting weeks for an appointment just gives me more time to talk myself out of attending them.

Yes. I did recently because my insurance changed and I couldn't find a female gynecologist who took it (it's the US) . It's worth it.

Yes.
I had a private colposcopy to save a stressful wait. Same consultant.

Sorry to hear your FPC was closed. I used ours many years ago and they were so good at gynea procedures.

Absolutely would book it privately if it means you feel better and can manage it and it’s not a choice of that or not eating for 3 weeks

Yes, and have. However my GP asked when I'd had the last one and it was long overdue. I said I'd sort and she responded the nurses do them. I explained that I'd had difficulties in the past with it hurting and them frankly being quite rough and occasionally making me bleed. Noted too they always complained about my cervix being awkward which was never a problem when a gynaecologist did it.

She offered. She did the best smear ever and explained my uterus was retroverted, hence the cervix was tucked away and a little more skill and patience was required.

Could you make a gp apt and explain your anxiety and see if they will do it gently for you.

One hears so often that nurses are the experts in this that and the other. It has never been my experience.

A smear is not self indulgent in the least. You are being very responsible by getting it done and I would get it done privately if I had to.

I had to pay for a private one last year. Couldn’t get an appointment with the nurse at the GP practice for ages and When I did get one, got there and the nurse had been sent home sick and no one else was qualified to do it. I always went to the local fpc too, they were lovely but have lost the funding to do smears. Also had a bad experience with the nurse at the GP surgery in the past.

Have had a loop biopsy in the past so like to keep up to date with smears. So glad I paid to have it done privately as I ended up being referred for colcoscopy (this was on the NHS).

Slightly derailing, but how do you get a private smear? I’m still 18 months away from my next one. My last one showed minor changes but because negative for HPV I was put on 3 yearly. I had tested positive for HPV just the year before. I’m not comfortable waiting that long. I’ve had a quick google but it’s not obvious.

Sorry to derail OP and if I were you, I would absolutely book. It is not an indulgence in the slightest.

No way should you pay! I would write a nice polite letter (letter not email) to the practice manager / your GP explaining the situation and ask if something could be done / what course of action they recommend.

End the letter with - 'In view of the amount of time that has ready elapsed, I would be most grateful for a response by (insert date 10-14 days hence) if possible.'
(This means you can call to follow up after that date without feeling you're hassling them.)

I'd be astonished if they couldn't sort something out.

Then you can spend the money on something nice else.

The place I've found is one of these that does 4D scans etc Stygimoloch there are loads round here (West Mids) but I didn't realise any offered smears til I saw it mentioned on a thread on here so don't know how many other places offer them.

That's a really good idea OhTheRoses, there's a lovely female GP at my surgery I would feel comfortable asking, why didn't I think of that?! I have similar issues with tilted uterus and although I haven't had a smear at my new surgery I have seen the nurses for other stuff and found them quite brusque and impatient so don't feel very confident about a smear with them. The nurse at my old surgery was awful, she used to insert the speculum and then leave me lying there feeling like I was being turned inside out while she sorted all the other equipment. The last one I had with her she scrubbed at my cervix (with what felt like wire wool) for about 5 minutes and left me bleeding and in a lot of pain. I had a loop diathermy years ago for abnormal cells so not feeling able to just go and get it done really worries me.

Thanks to everyone who's replied, will try the GP as a last ditch attempt and if that doesn't work I will book at the private place.

OP, I’m in the West Midlands too. Thanks for that. Will have a look.

It's Cherish in Sutton Coldfield if that helps x

In Manchester - Sameday Doctor. Think they’re a national chain. They were great and do evening and Saturday appointments.

If there was any concerns with the result, would the NHS accept the results or insist on their own smear? Are you happy to go for it again if abnormal cells are found?

I've gone private for some tests and diagnosis. NHS insisted on their own diagnosis which added an extra 12 months on before I got the right treatment. Thankfully not a life threatening situation.

OP, that’s great. Thanks so much.

That's a good point WhatNow, will try to find out and post any info I find.

No probs Styg, might see you in the waiting room

Do any of the private places do sedation? I just cannot manage a smear since I had a very bad incident and ended up unconscious and losing my driving license for a year. I have tried. I'm due now, my last one was done under general anaesthetic whilst I was having a cystoscopy and the urologist got a gynaecologist to come in and do it. I was private though on insurance and just paid myself for the smear test. I do really want to have it done if I can.

I had my smear done privately (due to not being able to get an app, as I mentioned above). They sent the results to my GP surgery and my GP referred me for a colcoscopy on the NHS.