Smear test appointments

[Pheebs13]

Received a letter saying I was due for cervical smear test. Rang dr to make appointment with the nurse and was told to ring back in 8 weeks time as nurse was booked up. Asked if I could not just schedule something for 2 months from now and was told no, you have to ring then. She suggested I go to family planning clinic. Is this normal procedure??

I've called for a smear appointment and been told to phone back next week/month too. The surgery only release appointments so far ahead so when they're all taken you have to wait. It would have been helpful if the receptionist had told you when exactly the next batch of appointments were being released though, unless it's exactly 8wks from today. I've never been advised to go to the family planning clinic but then I've not minded waiting a bit.

Normal practice here too. They do refer to family planning clinic as they often have walk in sessions and really fast appointments, within a day or so. I've actually found them brilliant and much better than GP