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Original poster

Smear Test advice request

26 replies

Kirkers · 07/12/2009 11:58

For various reasons, I cannot see my GP.

I have had abnormal smears in the past, needing (extremely painful, in my opinion) treatment. As a consequence, I am supposed to have a smear every year. I last had one about 4/5 years ago, which was ok.

With Jade Goody very much in my mind, I am want to find out how I can get a smear done privately. I could travel to London or Oxford. I assume I don't need to join a Bupa scheme (not an option) but could have a one off test + results?

If I don't get any joy here I will ring Bupa but if anyone has a contribution I would be grateful.

The real danger is that I do nothing like Jade, and which I have done up till today.

Thanks all.

OP posts:
Seona1973 · 07/12/2009 12:30

a family planning clinic?

thehairybabysmum · 07/12/2009 12:32

Can you get one done at a family planning clinic if you dont want to see your GP?

At our practice it is the nurse who does them so no need to see/contact GP.

jelliebelly · 07/12/2009 12:35

I think in most practices it is the nurse who does smear tests not the GP - could you ask at yours?

LisaD1 · 07/12/2009 12:38

Hi Kirkers,

If you can't see your GP can you not try another? Or see the nurse or go to the family planning clinic as suggested above?

CMOTdibbler · 07/12/2009 12:40

Family planning clinics or GUM/Sexual health clinics will always do smears for you, and are very kind and gentle.

You could of course go to BUPA - on their website they offer smear tests as part of their private GP service, or as part of a well woman check.

Have you thought of changing GP if you are very uncomfortable with them ?

purplepeony · 07/12/2009 12:53

try www132harleystreet.com

no referral required.
Other option is Marie Stopes in Goodge (?) Street.

purplepeony · 07/12/2009 12:54

p.s- both the above in London, BTW.

PLEASE get yourself sorted soon!

alypaly · 07/12/2009 12:54

had mine done privately but it costs....as a routine smear is not covered on BUPA

purplepeony · 07/12/2009 12:55

oops- missed the.
www.132harleystreet.com

lovely people- not sure of the cost as use the place to see my gyane.

DisElfchanted3 · 07/12/2009 12:56

Do you mean you don't want to involve the GP surgery or a particular doctor, you can ask a nurse to do it.

Round here they have various walk in centres, ours does them on a friday morning at the lock hospital.

Call the GPs you don't have to give your name, just ask where you can get it done locally.

PDR · 07/12/2009 13:19

I wouldn't have thought you need see your GP either.

Here, you just book an appointment with the nurse and they send the results in the post.

But, you can get it done privately as a one-off but you will have to pay to see a private GP and also the lab fees as I would have thought most of the labs are NHS. I did this once when I had international private insurance (which covered routine tests) but agree that a standard BUPA membership would not cover this.

Hope you get it sorted!

purplepeony · 07/12/2009 13:23

I have had all my smears done privately for years as I like to have them more often than the 5 year period offered by our local NHS trust.
I pay around £35 and have one very couple of years. The results are sent to a private lab, looked at by the dr at the private hospital ( she is actually a GP at my practice but moonlights on this!) and then copy sent to GP and me. results come back in 7 days usually compared with up to 12 weeks on NHS. God help you if you have a problem with a wait like that.

DisElfchanted3 · 07/12/2009 13:27

purple, i had mine done on the NHS and had my results 9 days later, not always 12 weeks.

PDR · 07/12/2009 13:37

I also had NHS results in about 3 weeks - very efficient IME.

£35 is very reasonable!

I used to pay over £50 for a private consultation with a GP let alone the lab fees etc!

alypaly · 07/12/2009 13:52

my NHS results took 9 weeks and that was from the biopsy from a LLetz procedure.

thehairybabysmum · 07/12/2009 15:56

mine were back in less than 2 weeks (NHS)

JustAnotherManicMummy · 07/12/2009 16:01

My NHS results were back in a couple of days and I got my letter after a week.

I have had a private smear during a well-woman check up at Marie Stopes. Was part of the package and cost about £150 for the whole thing I think.

NHS was quicker and I saw the nurse.

Change your GP if you don't like him/her.

JingleAllTheWay · 07/12/2009 16:07

I always have mine done at family planning clinic as the time suits, the nurse at our GPs does them too. Results are much quicker than they used to be - got mine within 3 weeks, nearer to two.

Original poster
Kirkers · 07/12/2009 17:26

Thank you everybody. I will go to a family planning clinic. I will sort out the GP problem but I just have to kick myself up the backside and get this done as a priority. I will check out the wellwoman stuff too.
Thank you very much everybody. :0

OP posts:
BelaLugosisVampireReindeer · 07/12/2009 20:35

Hi Kirkers
When you go to the well woman clinic, please tell them about your previous history, including any dates, results and type of treatment you've had. This is particularly important if you've moved area since the abnormal ones. If you know your NHS number that's really useful too, as it'll help the lab find your screening history.

The turnaround times are improving gradually. By the end of 2010 the results of all cervical screening tests should be with the woman by day 14 (after date taken).
Quite a few labs are doing this and some are over 50% in 7 days. It will be difficult for all labs as many are short staffed. The comments on this thread show there is still a way to go.

BelaLugosisVampireReindeer · 07/12/2009 20:39

Purplepeony - am bit surprised that your GP also does cervical screening in their spare time. There are certain quality guidelines that might not be met by that. Have they previously qualified in pathology (MRCPath)?

Original poster
Kirkers · 08/12/2009 13:57

I am going to post again here when I have DONE IT.

If it is troublesome, I will come back for more love and understanding.

OP posts:
Original poster
Kirkers · 08/12/2009 16:11

I will post here when done. I feel the need to tell a stranger that I will do it. By end of Jan. Now I have said it I will do it. Best wishes stranger til Feb 1st when I will post that it is fatto.

OP posts:
purplepeony · 08/12/2009 16:32

Bela- I don't really know what you mean by that- the dr who does it works occasioanally at a private hospital- like BUPA but another group- and she does smears and well women checks roughly one day/morning a week or a fortnight. She is also a GP p/t at the practice I belong to.
O bviously she doesn't carry out the path stuff herself- it goes to the lab.

If you followed your argument through, then nurses aren't trained as you suggest- think you have got the wrong end of the stick.

BelaLugosisVampireReindeer · 08/12/2009 18:58

Peony bit of a misunderstanding there on my part . It was because you'd said the results were sent to a private lab and were looked by the Dr when working at the private place and mentioned your GP working there. I interpreted that as meaning she's reporting the smear tests rather than taking them IYSWIM. As you say there's quite a difference.