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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think GPS should be doing smear tests?

70 replies

Lonelylockdown22 · 15/07/2020 18:50

Had a letter through to tell me to organise a smear tests, rang GP and told they are not doing any smear tests at the moment. Before the comments start, I'm aware there's a pandemic going on but most other services have started up. I work for the NHS and I was redeployed but have now been sent back to my original place of work. I'm really worried in case I do have abnormal cells and they aren't caught early, I have known people die from cervical cancer.

OP posts:

SardineOil · 15/07/2020 18:51

I'm having mine done by the practice nurse, had to have a telephone consultation and then they booked me in

cptartapp · 15/07/2020 18:59

I'm a practice nurse and doing them. Doing urgent ones all the way through this.

sonypony · 15/07/2020 18:59

YANBU

Polkadotties · 15/07/2020 19:00

Mine was due in March, I was busy with work so didn’t book it straight away. I still haven’t been able to book it, GP Surgery can’t confirm when they will be doing them

maybemaybemaybe · 15/07/2020 19:01

Exactly the same thing happen to me OP. It's frustrating. You even hear reports about actual cancer treatments being delayed due to coronavirus. It's scary, I agree. I guess we have the "option" of a private one if we want to do it now, although I bet it costs a lot! At my GP's, they suggested I try calling them again in a month's time and things might have restarted by then, but it didn't sound they knew for certain

KitKat1985 · 15/07/2020 19:03

YANBU OP. Mine was cancelled back in April and I was told I'd be contacted when our surgery would start doing them again but not heard anything yet. It's the same for mammogarms etc.
There are going to be a lot of indirect deaths from covid I think through people not being able to access investigative services and delays in people receiving treatment.

madmumofteens · 15/07/2020 19:04

Totally agree also why can't my daughter get her implant replaced I foresee there will be a surge in unwanted pregnancies as well 🙄

Lurleene · 15/07/2020 19:04

I had one about three weeks ago, the surgery called me and invited me in as it was due. I had to wait for the appointment outside instead of the waiting room but apart from that it was carried out as normal. The results came back very quickly.

StillCounting123 · 15/07/2020 19:06

I had one last month as I had an issue with ovarian cysts and they thought I had a linked issue that a smear test would confirm. So I am not sure if routine ones are happening, or if you just need to ring and insist.

Bhrb · 15/07/2020 19:07

Same here. Having had to have laser treatment before am seriously considering going private. But guess that's the whole Tory initiative anyway.

user1573957284738 · 15/07/2020 19:07

Are you in an area that's doing screening for HPV and only actually checking the cells taken if you're HPV positive?

In which case you could order an at-home test.

AgentCooper · 15/07/2020 19:10

YANBU. Of course they fucking should. I am getting really angry about how all other health needs are allowed to fall by the wayside due to COVID. My goddaughter’s CAHMS appointments have been cancelled, they’re not even offering her them via Zoom. It’s disgraceful and that’s not a civilised society in action.

Sidge · 15/07/2020 19:15

We’re doing them. Stopped doing routine ones during lockdown, only doing recalls and follow ups after treatment.

Started doing routine ones and catching up about 3 weeks ago now.

They should be starting them again very soon, I believe NHS England have given the green light and labs are starting to process them again as well (ours were only able to process recalls and FUAT).

velvetteddy1 · 15/07/2020 19:19

That's very strange OP, YADNBU. I've booked mine in for next week without a problem. I thought all surgeries would be doing them since it's so important. I would ring back and maybe speak to office manager or see if you can go elsewhere to have it done? I worked in a gp surgery a few years ago and we were able to offer appointments out of hours different surgeries/health centres within the area, or do sexual health clinics do them I can't remember?

velvetteddy1 · 15/07/2020 19:20

Eaumyword · 15/07/2020 19:22

Our surgery is great. I had my standard annual blood test this week for an autoimmune condition I have. I mentioned I'd had the cervical screening letter in March and I'm booked in for the next couple of weeks.
I stupidly had an accident during lockdown and they were fab with me, changing dressings etc.
I'm grateful to have such a good GP surgery (East Mids) They are so friendly too.

Original poster

Lonelylockdown22 · 15/07/2020 19:25

@velvetteddy1 just told that unless you've had abnormal cells before, they're not doing any smear tests. I just worry that I could have something wrong and won't know about it, and there will be a massive backlog when they do eventually start doing them so it could be months until. I get mine.

OP posts:

Original poster

Lonelylockdown22 · 15/07/2020 19:27

Only just today managed to get a really important blood test today that was due in April. And had to ask the health are assistant to wash his hands as he touched the door, curtains, computer and equipment and then tried to touch my arm to do the blood test

OP posts:

Evelefteden · 15/07/2020 19:29

@user1573957284738

Are you in an area that's doing screening for HPV and only actually checking the cells taken if you're HPV positive?

In which case you could order an at-home test.

Is there a difference? I’m in a area that only does HVP tests. I found it all confusing tbh

Original poster

Lonelylockdown22 · 15/07/2020 19:29

@AgentCooper that's really crap. The least they could do is offer her a zoom appointment. People are struggling without the help they need. I hope she gets some support soon.

OP posts:

MuchTooTired · 15/07/2020 19:31

I didn’t realise it was different by trusts - I had mine done today. Had to answers some Covid screening questions and have my temperature taken, that was pretty much it.

Brumcherub · 15/07/2020 19:31

Still waiting since mine was cancelled in March. Absolutely none being done at my GP surgery.

MummaGiles · 15/07/2020 19:32

Mine was cancelled start of lockdown. My GP surgery called me a few weeks ago to get it booked in as they’ve started up again. Going on Friday morning.

estatenonestate · 15/07/2020 19:32

Mine was cancelled in March and I was pretty pissed off about it even with the pandemic I felt they should have been doing them. Tbe NHS website has a big fuck off sign saying don't fucking postpone your smear test but then it wasn't considered an Essential service during the pandemic! Gives me the rage.

They didn't even bother to let me know they were doing them again. I just called up to ask when they would be restarting and they already had.

MsJudgemental · 15/07/2020 19:33

I've been waiting for an operation (cancelled during lockdown) to remove a stuck Mirena coil. I had a call today offering me a cancellation, but I couldn't take it as I've not been self-isolating (because I have no need to). I'm going away on holiday, so even though there is no quarantine now, I find that I still have to quarantine for two weeks when I get back anyway! There is, therefore, a one-week window following this before I start back doing face-to-face work, during which they can offer me an appointment. The person who phoned was very apologetic and admitted it was a farce as she cannot fill the cancellation because no one on the list has been isolating.

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