Cervical screening now by invitation

[Posted: Fri 04/09/2009 by Niall Hunter, Editor www.irishhealth.com]

CervicalCheck - the National Cervical Screening Programme - has this week moved to an organised call, recall and opt-in method of inviting women for screening for cervical cancer.

It says this new screening system is designed to maximise uptake among eligible women aged from 25 to 60.

From his week, women will need a letter of invitation from CervicalCheck to avail of a free smear test.

CervicalCheck says it has a register of eligible women and over the next three-year screening round, it will send eligible women nationwide an invitation by post for their free smear test.

It says the transition from an open opportunistic access system to an organised call, recall scheme will ensure that an effective and efficient approach to screening is maintained and that maximum screening uptake among eligible women is achieved.

CervicalCheck says that during the period of open access to the scheme from September 2008 to August 2009, uptake rates exceeded expectations, and the programme is now focusing on eligible women who have not proactively attended for screening to date.

Any woman who has not had a smear test in the past three years can opt-in to the screening programme by registering online at cervicalcheck.ie, by returning a form by Freepost, or call freephone 1800 45 45 55 to request an invitation.

Some women are eligible for a free smear test without an invitation letter. These include women aged over 60 who have never had a smear and women of any age post-colposcopy.

Any woman who has availed of a CervicalCheck smear test since the national scheme began in September 2008 will automatically be recalled when her next smear test is due.

maximay  Posted: 01/04/2010 15:34

Hi I would just like to say that I am under review of the Cervical Team in St. Munchin's Hospital in Limerick and I just like to say that they are a wonderful team of people.  From the lady taking your details to the nurse to the doctors that examined me and did treatment are so nice and friendly.  I was there yesterday and I was delayed but even the doctor that examined me apologised for delay, which I also have to say was the only day that I was delayed, every other visit i am in and out in half hour approx.  So Colposcopy Team in St. Munchin's Hospital - Keep up the great work and atmosphere there. Thanking you  G.W.

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