Smear test?? How do I get one?

[kittyfayne]

My surgery has sent me a letter and numerous texts asking me to book a cervical smear test as I'm now due for one.

I am more than happy to.
However!!!!

I cannot get a bloody appointment. Surgery used to offer them but now don't; it's through a central partnership. I get an online link.

I live in Bham - the last appt on the online link they sent was over an hour's drive away. I find it baffling that there isn't more than one area in the entire city that offer them. But I thought I'd suck it up...went to book and there was nothing. All appts had gone.

They've since sent me another link. This time, there wasn't a single appt for the next 2 months at all!!!

Does anyone have any suggestions as to where I can book a smear?!!! I'm genuinely at a loss....

Is there a different drs surgery near you that you could switch to, if they used a different system?

Another option is an at home test, not quite the same because you don't have someone to check for any visual abnormalities but the actual test is the same thing

That's ridiculous!! Mine is still done by the practice nurse in the GP surgery! Could you do one privately as a fast track option?

Have you telephoned your surgery for advice rather than trying to do it all online?

That's ridiculous.

Our surgery, I email them requesting an appt and they schedule it in. It may not be immediate and there's no choice, but I have a fixed local appt within an hour.

If you can spare the money just get a home test from Superdrug

www.birminghamsolihull.icb.nhs.uk/contact-us

I'd contact them ^