To think GPS should be doing smear tests?

[Lonelylockdown22]

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.

I had a routine smear test last week. It was overdue as I was pregnant. Despite being able to get a smear I can't get an implant or coil . . .

I had one 2 weeks ago, I think it depends on the area

I had some irregular bleeding and was due one, so ingot mine booked fairly quickly. I got told my hpv was very low. I've never heard of a home test?

@madmumofteens Totally agree also why can't my daughter get her implant replaced I foresee there will be a surge in unwanted pregnancies as well it’s not really comparable, she can use condoms or unless a medical reason not to, the pill which can be purchased very cheaply from Superdrug.

YADNBU! I also think that GPs should be doing other things and they’re not - like actually seeing patients! And before I get jumped on, I know some GPs are, but a hell of a lot are not.

I do agree your GP surgery should be don’t then, but you can arrange to have one privately if you’re very worried. When I was a bit paranoid I paid for one in between the scheduled smear tests with Nuffield Health. They did an hpv test too. Was a bit pricey though

[quote Lonelylockdown22]@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.[/quote]
@Lonelylockdown22 thank you, I hope so too. I just don’t get it - my appointments with a clinical psychologist are still being done via Zoom, and we live in the same area, same health board. The letter her mum got said it was due to the pandemic and I just thought how? Are they redeploying all the child psychologists to epidemiology?

I’ve been waiting for one since November last year. They have only just told me that they are starting to do them again soon so I should hear from them within a couple of months.

Our area has restarted, but we couldn’t do any for a spell because the lab machine that’s used to process the samples had been taken into use for COVID testing.

I was impressed by my GP practice - I had a smear in April during lockdown (I had abnormal cells last time so I think that might be why) and while I was there the nurse practitioner asked if I'd restarted contraception after having my baby a few months before. When I said I hadn't got round to it yet she sorted me a pill prescription then and there to save me having to book a separate appointment.
Sorry others haven't had the same experience.

My surgery are doing them and so is my mother's surgery. Your surgery has no good reason not to be doing them unless for some reason all their practice nurses are shielding.

I imagine mine will be delayed as they need to fit people in from lockdown, I can't say I am disappointed about that, but I'd be annoyed if they claimed they couldn't do them, which is patently untrue. I actually thought they got paid for doing them.

Had my routine one last week. New experience for me taking my kecks off while my face was covered but otherwise just like normal.

Mine are doing them? I'm off for mine tomorrow

My dad is a GP and his practice never stopped doing smears. I had one done in April. Strange it's different everywhere

I had my colposcopy done a fortnight ago after it was put on hold during the pandemic. If they can do colposcopies surely they can do smears.

Our practice is doing them.

Had mine last week. Logged into my online surgery account today and result is back already, all fine.

I think GP surgery’s in general are being a bit OTT, they seem to be delaying face to face consultations. Yes some consultations can be done over the phone, but many need a physical examination. I can’t see any reason why smears can’t be done.

That's really bad. My practise are still doing them, I have an appointment on 3rd August. I probably would have put it back a few weeks except it's already a year overdue because I was pregnant when the reminder letter came through.

The sexual health clinics in my city are offering them, could that be an option for you?

OP should not have to pay to have it done privately! There is no excuse for them to be refusing to do them now even without abnormal cells. The GP's have been trying for years to do less and less f2f appts so I bet this has been great for them. I haven't needed to go to the GP the last few months and rarely go anyway luckily but it's starting to piss me of on behalf of other people who's treatments etc are still being put off.

Had a letter for my routine one about a month ago and had it booked in and done 3 weeks ago - letter confirming all clear within about 4 days - quickest ever! Norfolk surgery. Also been booked in for usual routine blood tests for tomorrow. It really shouldn't be a postcode lottery.

@keiratwiceknightley I had the same experience as you last week

We are doing them ! I am also having to practically drag /beg people to come in for face to face appointments !! I'm happy to see people who need seeing. I'm happy to see people who just want to be seen. I HATE all this bloody phone consulting. I like seeing proper people.

I was due in March. I've got the appointment on Friday morning.