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Cervical smears for nurses: workplace screening helps busy staff

Nurse set up screening at her NHS trust to support staff struggling to keep appointments at their GP practice thanks to shift timings or childcare issues
Nurse colposcopist Nicola Anderson and colleagues at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Nurse set up screening at her NHS trust to support staff struggling to keep appointments at their GP practice thanks to shift timings or childcare issues

Nurse colposcopist Nicola Anderson and colleagues at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

A nurse who set up a cervical screening service at work wants smear tests to be easily available to NHS staff who struggle to fit appointments into busy schedules.

Lead specialist nurse colposcopist Nicola Anderson told Nursing Standard she established the clinic at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust (NTHFT) because of concern nurses and other staff were missing potentially life-saving smears.

Reasons staff find it hard to take time out for smear tests

Many staff struggle to fit appointments around shift patterns, with illness and childcare also reasons for rescheduling or cancelling appointments.

‘If people’s shift patterns change at short notice, appointments get cancelled and they get put back at the end of the queue,’ Ms Anderson said.

‘Women would also tell me they couldn’t get an appointment with a GP out of working hours, or it was when their kids were off school. Many would say they had been on a waiting list for over six months to have a smear test, and that is just unacceptable.’

Ms Anderson’s team promises to see nurses on time so they can get back to work as soon as possible, making the service popular among staff.

‘It really took off because it’s something nurses and other female staff can have done while they’re at work. They’re not penalised for it and they’re not having to take it in their break or their lunch hour,’ she said.

Struggling to get a smear test? Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer

Nicola Anderson is urging NHS employers to offer smear services to staff. Here are her tips for nurses wanting to set up a clinic:

  • Don’t take no for an answer
  • Speak to cytology labs to see if they can help with making appointments and setting up further appointments
  • Get occupational health involved, they are keen to promote employees’ health and can help with training
  • Get the organisation’s communications team involved to get the message out

Cervical screening uptake

Cervical screening data in England show that in the year to March 2022, almost a third of eligible women had not been screened.

Research by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust found 87% of healthcare professionals believe cervical cancer elimination should be a government priority.

Ms Anderson encouraged nurses to lead by example and not be frightened or embarrassed of the procedure.

‘It is a simple and straightforward process. It is a little bit embarrassing, but it is better than the alternative,’ she said.


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