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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - Smear test

97 replies

Dibble135 · 01/03/2022 14:54

A lot of money is being spent on a TV campaign encouraging women to go for smear tests.

Fortunately I am not one of those who are reluctant to attend but if I was, I think my experience of trying to get an appointment would cause me not to bother.

Just been to the GP surgery having taken time out of work to be told my appointment has been cancelled for what is now the third time.

No one bothered to tell me before I attended and no explanation as to why.

To add insult to injury, I had to yell my personal details across the counter because the receptionist did not get up from his computer to come and speak to me and I could see the lady I was booked in with having a coffee and a chat with her colleagues.

OP posts:
ChristmasAtHogwarts · 01/03/2022 14:55

What was the reason your appt was cancelled?

MerryPoppings · 01/03/2022 14:56

They didn't tell her

Holothane · 01/03/2022 14:57

Luckily managed to book mine a few weeks ago it must be done there and then so taking pillow sweets book, I can’t afford another trip to theatre I’ve plans and they mustn’t be messed up.

catscatscatseverywhere · 01/03/2022 15:02

Your gp reception staff is taking a piss.

ClemFandangoo · 01/03/2022 15:04

In my opinion I think that campaign is not thought out well at all. The onus (and blame) is put squarely on women to just get it done. It’s as not simple as that. Many women will have been sexually assaulted or suffered child abuse and just saying ‘get it done’ without offering any reassurance is short sighted.

GP surgeries should be putting things in place to comfort and reassure women. Simply saying ‘suck it up and get it done’ is not helping.

DaffodilDandilion · 01/03/2022 15:04

I’ve called several times to be told to try again next month.

Similarly when I’ve called to make an appointment for a coil fitting, they don’t have the appointments available.

Women’s health isn’t a priority

Monpetitpoisson · 01/03/2022 15:10

I had my second one done last week - I’m 42

I had a horrible experience having one done when I was 21 . The dr was rough and basically stuffed her hand in me and was basically horrible and mean .

The nurse I had this time was great and I explained I was nervous . But it shouldn’t have taken me 20 years to get it done

AnnaDelvorkina · 01/03/2022 15:13

Please, everyone, go for your smear tests, even if it's really awkward and time-consuming. I missed one during COVID and was subsequently a lot more unwell / affected than if I had had that test. Please don't let your HCP put off for any reason.

Totally empathise that it can be incredibly awkward and near impossible to arrange, particularly with the overburdened NHS.

pawpaws2022 · 01/03/2022 15:19

It would be great if there was an actual smear test clinic
So ones that ran maybe on a Saturday or early evening with staff that did them all the time
My surgery has a bed against a wall so you can't actually drop your knees Confused and I always ask for it to be done on my side

Original poster
Dibble135 · 01/03/2022 15:21

I’m a lawyer so used to refusing to take no for an answer in my job but when surgery say it’s cancelled and will not see you, what do you do?

OP posts:
MrsWinters · 01/03/2022 15:30

I won’t go. I know I should, but I hate doctors at the best of times, my GP is condescending and dismissive. Last time I went in they told me I was due for a smear and I said I felt really uncomfortable and they basically sneered and me and made it out that I was being foolish and immature.
So no I won’t be going.

Most women who don’t go know they should- it doesn’t need an awareness campaign. It needs a campaign to GPs to explore how to talk to women, and funding of self-test kits for those who will not go.

mumda · 01/03/2022 15:31

Aside from the having to ring up which is a chore in itself it's not that bad. Average waiting time 50 minutes before the line cuts off and several attempts needed. Oh an then appointments cancelled and re-arranged.

I'm hoping the new doctors would be better, but having signed up 3 weeks ago and not heard anything from and can see them wasting money on Facebook advertising I feel a little bit cross.

KindlyKanga · 01/03/2022 15:34

@pawpaws2022

It would be great if there was an actual smear test clinic So ones that ran maybe on a Saturday or early evening with staff that did them all the time My surgery has a bed against a wall so you can't actually drop your knees Confused and I always ask for it to be done on my side
I agree. It worked for covid vaccination.
Trisolaris · 01/03/2022 15:40

I get annoyed that I get my cervix prodded each time when they aren’t going to bother testing my cells anyway as I don’t have hpv. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I don’t have hpv but it means all I need is a swab and they are pointlessly jabbing at my cervix anyway!

ThinWomansBrain · 01/03/2022 15:41

My GP i- or the local NHS trust - is trialling smear tests that you do yourself at home. Tons easier and less painful. Apparently if the home test throws up anything abnormal your advised to go in for a "proper" test.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-56168170

gogohm · 01/03/2022 15:42

It was very easy to book at my surgery, you can book online using the nhs app, I actually went during the 3rd lockdown.

ThinWomansBrain · 01/03/2022 15:44

@pawpaws2022 - have you checked with your local NHS sexual health clinic? I think some do them.

Ramalamadingdongs · 01/03/2022 15:45

I read the other day on a thread here that they no longer even look at your sample unless you test positive for the HPV virus. So it seems smear tests and all the discomfort and inconvenience don't count for anything anyway unless you're likely to have caught the virus since your last smear. So what's the point?

Crunchymum · 01/03/2022 15:45

Did they tell you why the other appointments were cancelled? I assume you were told in advance of the earlier two?

My surgery managed to get me an appointment 5 days after I rang and I was in and out in 5 minutes.

ToMockAKillingBird · 01/03/2022 15:46

Our GP surgery no longer does smears as they don't have a nurse. I had to wait 2 months for an appt at the SH clinic.

Those adverts annoy me so much, along with the ones for cancer awareness where the tagline is 'just speak to your GP.'
I waited 3 weeks for a phone appointment and I need a follow up F2F with the GP, which is in a month's time. No wonder so many people are going private, that's probably the aim though.

Conc1 · 01/03/2022 15:47

@gogohm

It was very easy to book at my surgery, you can book online using the nhs app, I actually went during the 3rd lockdown.
Which NHS is this?
Conc1 · 01/03/2022 15:47

Oops. Which NHS app?

Iheartmysmart · 01/03/2022 15:48

@ClemFandangoo

In my opinion I think that campaign is not thought out well at all. The onus (and blame) is put squarely on women to just get it done. It’s as not simple as that. Many women will have been sexually assaulted or suffered child abuse and just saying ‘get it done’ without offering any reassurance is short sighted.

GP surgeries should be putting things in place to comfort and reassure women. Simply saying ‘suck it up and get it done’ is not helping.

Exactly this. Add in a GP surgery that can’t even be bothered to answer the phone and the most vile excuse for a practice nurse, it’s a big fat no thanks from me.
ClemFandangoo · 01/03/2022 15:48

@MrsWinters

I won’t go. I know I should, but I hate doctors at the best of times, my GP is condescending and dismissive. Last time I went in they told me I was due for a smear and I said I felt really uncomfortable and they basically sneered and me and made it out that I was being foolish and immature. So no I won’t be going.

Most women who don’t go know they should- it doesn’t need an awareness campaign. It needs a campaign to GPs to explore how to talk to women, and funding of self-test kits for those who will not go.

Yes this!

Most women who don’t go know they should- it doesn’t need an awareness campaign. It needs a campaign to GPs to explore how to talk to women, and funding of self-test kits for those who will not go.

This was exactly my point further up the thread but put more eloquently than I did.

cptartapp · 01/03/2022 15:51

Even if every smear you've ever had in your life has been HPV negative, it doesn't mean you're not carrying the virus. It lies dormant and can flare up after many years. You don't have to have had a new partner.
Always worth a nurse visually inspecting your cervix too, which of course a swab alone can't do.
Lack of staff in primary care. Many nurses leaving and retiring.
Practice nurse.