Smear Test - do I have to go via GP? Alternatives?

[Youngatheart00]

I’m due a smear, in fact, I’m overdue. I went through a series of IVF a few years back though and had a clear colposcopy as part of that, so I’m not too stressed about it being late, but it’s niggling away at me as I’ve now had a few letters and know I shouldn’t keep putting it off.

My main issue is logistics of booking in at the GP! I obviously need to avoid my period week, can’t book online only via phone and it is so bloody hard to get through, then when I made an attempt they offered me one sole date and time which I couldn’t make as I was travelling for work (which I often do).

Are there other ‘Walk in’ solutions available or clinics at hospitals/poly centres etc which are a bit easier to access? Or is persevering with the GP the only option?

My area offer an out of hours service. There's a poster about it in the surgery waiting room. When working out of area once, I found a GUM clinic that did drop in clinic for smears.

It would be worth doing a search for drop in smear test with your area.

Your surgery should be able to signpost you though.

Hope you find something.

Thanks v much @FortunaMajor

Well aware that some of this is my own procrastination but I really can’t put it off any longer hence not wanting to use the inaccessibility of nurses appts as a reason to delay. Will Google as you suggest and go from there.

I tend to have a bad time during the smear (always bleed and some nurses then decide they are concerned) but I think it’s just cervical ectropian along with nabothian cysts both of which I have. The bleeding led to the colposcopy a few years ago which was clear.

Using this thread for accountability I will come back here and post when I have booked in.

You can pay and go to a private gynae for a smear.