Smear Tests - Not Allowed

[Summer84]

AIBU to be outraged at my GP surgery for not allowing me the right to have a smear test?

I called the surgery this afternoon, to ask when I was due, as it feels way over 3 years since my last one and I have not yet been called in.

She checked my records and told me that I had my last smear in December 2016 - so I would not be due until February 2020.

I told her my history that they are well aware of - some time ago being diagnosed with having severe dyskaryosis, which required a colposcopy. After this, I was advised yearly smears were required. it was at the time of my last smear (December 2016) that the nurse informed me, I can go back to my 3 yearly smears.

I also told her, that for my own piece of mind I would like to book in early, if this was OK - The lady spoke to the nurse and told me that it would not be possible for me to be seen unless I thought there was an issue and if this was the case, I would have to see the GP for that.

I am rather pi$$ed off about that to be honest, as you read all over the news that the number of people missing their smears is ever on the increase - yet when someone wants to just get one done, they are not allowed....

I am going to check with my work to see if our private healthcare will cover for a consultation to have one done, I get that I probably shouldn't be as mad as what I am inside at the moment, but if it doesn't. does anybody know how I can get one?

TIA x

They will be told not to do them early. Do you have any issues just now that would make you need one sooner?

It’s standard practice if you’ve had dyskariosis to check you more regularly for a few years then put you back to every three years as normal. They won’t let you book in early unless you have symptoms. They can’t go around doing smears whenever people ask for them for no reason.

Just wait the 3 years

It's only another six months though?

Just to be clear - it’s not the GP who is saying you can’t have a smear, it’s the national protocol that they work to. Even if the nurse or GP took the smear the lab wouldn’t process it.

some time ago being diagnosed with having severe dyskaryosis, which required a colposcopy.

I had the same and have had yearly smears for a decade since. My GP advised that she could move me to 3 yearly but chose to keep me on annual ones simply because of my gynae history, so it's possible that you can ask for more frequent ones. See your GP and remind them that as a woman with a history of gynae complications that you're entitled to ask for more in-depth care.

Even if the nurse or GP took the smear the lab wouldn’t process it.

This can't be true. The lab won't look at dates, they'll just process the smears they're told to process. As I said previously I've had yearly smears for the first ten years after dyskaryosis and continued with annual smears for the following 4 years so far. Not once have my smears been returned because it's too soon.

Do you have a GUM or a sex health clinic near you? they should be able to do a smear.

I might be missing something but I don’t really see the point in doing it 6m early? What would it change? There is no point having a regime ie every 3 years if you think you should be able to call up whenever you want and get one?

Wouldn’t you then be waiting 3.5 years for the next one anyway?

You don't have a right to a smear test until February 2020. It's a diagnostic test. If you are having symptoms then that's another issue. If your GP were to give you a test before you're due, it will just be discarded.

You can have a smear done privately whenever you wish if you want one sooner than the NHS will do. No need for a referral and they don't care when the last one was done.

The laboratory will discard any smear samples sent early. Arguing with your nurse or GP is pointless and will be upsetting for them, when as they explained they cannot be done early as a screening test.

If you have symptoms you are worried about or want to ask for a physical examination of your cervix, see your GP.

I appreciate you're worried OP, but the NHS isn't there to provide tests whenever people want them. It can't afford to run in that way.
If you feel something isn't OK health wise, see the GP and talk it through with them.

[The NHS did a big campaign in March for smears, aimed at people that have avoided them, so the GP surgeries have been busy as have the labs.]

You can get a smear at a sexual health clinic or you could pay for one.

This can't be true. The lab won't look at dates

My gp recently sent off a blood test for thyroid antibodies- lab refused it because I had one last June

The lab won't look at dates, they'll just process the smears they're told to process. As I said previously I've had yearly smears for the first ten years after dyskaryosis and continued with annual smears for the following 4 years so far

They do look at the dates, when you send a smear test sample you specify whether it is routinely due, or for follow-up of previous abnormalities. If someone is on a medically advised protocol of yearly smears, the lab will process them yearly. If you were advised to have yearly smears and tried to have one after six months, the lab would not process that (unless there was a medical justification).

If you are worried you can pay privately.
www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/health-information/womens-health/private-smear-test/

Cervical screening can also be done on a private basis by private GPs, Marie Stopes Clinics and through some private healthcare providers, including Nuffield Health, BMI Healthcare and Bupa. Cost from these providers vary greatly and can be up to around £275 as you’re paying for the practitioner, test and the diagnostics.

Cervical screening wouldn’t be covered by a private healthcare policy. However if results from the screening indicated any concerns, a GP referral for a colposcopy or other follow-up investigation may well be covered, depending on your terms.

May I suggest you either contact the consultant who performed the colposcopy and ask their advice or make an appointment to see your GP and discuss the local follow up protocol following coploscopy.

The national screening programme is for every 3 years, but if you have had treatment and require follow up that's a different system. Follow up is different to screening.
Please don't take it out on your GP surgery - they are working to some really strict protocols.

If you've previously been told to attend for smear every 3 years due to particular reasons, I'd make an appointment to discuss with the GP why you are being told no. It's quite likely that the person on the phone didn't get what you explained about your personal history and is just applying a blanket rule. Or if the GP thinks it's now unnecessary they can explain why so that at least you understand and know what's going on.

I work at a surgery. Id they do it the sample will not be tested by the lab so you will have wasted an appointment and out yourself through having a smear twice. If you have a new medical problem make an appointment with a gp to discuss.

National screening programme is every 3 years. You should get a letter from your GP inviting you to an appointment.
If contact contact them and ask