Free cervical screening test brings 80% target closer
THE target of 80% coverage for cervical screening is set to be exceeded comfortably after the introduction of a free service.
From January, free cervical screening has been available to all women aged between 25 and 65 in the Bailiwick.
Director of public health Dr Nicola Brink said: ‘Prior to the introduction of free cervical screening our uptake was 70%. Since the introduction of free screening, we are on course to comfortably exceed the target of 80%.
‘Alongside making the cervical screening programme free, we have also tried to make the service as accessible as possible for women. This free service has been developed as a collaboration between Public Health Services, Primary Care, Choices and the Orchard Centre, enabling women to access a service of their choice.’
Dr Abigail Griffiths, a member of the local cervical screening advisory group and GP at Island Health, noted: ‘We have seen a big increase in the uptake of cervical smears since the start of the free screening programme. It is fantastic that the availability of free screening has increased the access for women to this very important screening programme.’
Deputy Heidi Soulsby, president of Health & Social Care, added: ‘The committee is very pleased with the early results we are seeing in this new service. The Partnership of Purpose focuses on prevention and early intervention and our investment in this service is delivering the excellent outcomes that HSC wants for islanders.’
. Further information on cervical screening is available from Emily Davies, public health practitioner, on 707311 or email Emily.davies@gov.gg.
