To ask if metal speculums are still used anywhere in the NHS?

[2Terrified]

Just that really. I've always found smear tests agonisingly painful (no I don't just mean a bit uncomfortable). I'm having to go back to having it done at my local GP surgery (because my local area have removed the option of having it done at a CASH clinic which I preferred). I've had one telephone conversation with the nurse who said that they have the smallest size speculum so I am going to ask for that but I've just realised that I didn't ask if it was metal and (having had a few particularly painful experiences with metal speculums) I'm now panicking that it's going to be metal because it is a GP's surgery not somewhere that specialises in these kind of tests and would have all the latest equipment.

Can anyone advise me - or let me know what they had if you went for the test at your GPs?

The test is coming up this week and I don't think I will be able to speak to the nurse again before the test date . Everyone on social media seems to be sharing these posts about how smear tests are just a breeze and only stupid or vain women would put them off and it's just constantly reminding me about it and making me feel more and more panicked and upset and that I'm the only person who has this experience.

Pookie they also use a clamp to do the smear test too.

Horrified people are using metal speculums in general practice. CJD was the key trigger for the move to single use equipment but the national remains that reusable speculum should be decontaminated at an accredited facility ie a HSDU.
If a metal speculum is suggested, I would be asking how they clean it. If they say a table top steamer/steriliser then refuse. CJD is not the only pathogen transmitted via body fluids.

I prefer the metal ones plastic feels more uncomfortable to me

We use metal. But that is at the hospital and all instruments (as surgical instruments) are sterilised by sterile services. They are pre-warmed before use. Never had anyone ask for plastic.

Regardless of comfort, they carry a significant infection risk if not decontaminated through use of a mechanical washer and autoclave.

We still have metal disposable winterton speculums which are rarely used and the rest are plastic disposables. Up until 2 years ago were having all our metal equipment sterilized and sent back but it was too expensive.

The hospital I work at uses metal, they don’t use plastic ones at all. They do have an on-site sterilisation unit if that makes a difference?

Absolutely different for hospitals who have a decontamination unit or an SLA with a unit in another trust. The units have to be compliant with the standards set in HBN 13 for Sterile Supply Units.
It’s usually too expensive for primary care services to contract with trusts and most CCG infection prevention and control policies require single use instruments.

Quick update: I went for the test last week and it was a single-use plastic speculum. I took a combination of painkillers beforehand and asked for the smallest speculum they had and, although it was still very painful, it wasn't as bad as some of the smear tests I've had.

I had a metal one used on me in 2016 at a gynacology appointment in a hospital in Wales. The smear at my gp used a plastic one.

Well done tooterrified. I had mine recently. They hurt like crazy. All the while poor nurse telling me to try to relax. Yes dear, but my cervix hides around back and don't you think i can feel you using a poking thing to move it, and the pinch, god. I respect you but it hurts! I leave mildly traumatised and sore for the day. But it once identified i needed an intervention. So.

I had my first smear a few weeks ago and it was quite unpleasant - the thing that shocked/ unsettled me was this jolting sensation just after she put the speculum in. Does anyone know what caused that feeling please? I wish I’d been forewarned.

Unutterable

The speculum has to be opened after it's inserted. If a metal speculum was used the screw has to be tightened once it's been opened. This might be what you felt.

@CherryPavlova the metal ones are single use

It's plastic and they have always been very gentle