Cervical Smear Tests

CervicalCheck Screening Programme
The Slievemore General Practice offers smear tests under the CerivcalCheck programme. This National Cervical Screening Programme provides free cervical screening every three years for women aged 25-44 and every five years for women aged 45-60years. While no screening technology is 100% accurate, cervical screening is an effective way of reducing a women’s risk of cervical cancer. Eligible women may enter the programme directly by booking for a ‘Cervical Check’ appointment with a doctor or nurse at the Slievemore General Practice. Each patient needs to sign a consent form to partake in the programme. Once registered and the first smear is sent women are recalled by the National Cervical Screening Programme to attend for a smear. Recall is at every three or five years depending on age or sooner if recommended by the programme.

Results are issued by the programme office to the individual patient either
‘No abnormality detected’ and you will be advised of when you need to book for your next smear-in three or five years time depending on age.
‘Unsatisfactory/ Inadequate’ you are advised to have the smear repeated within three months, this is free of charge and it is your responsibility to book this.
‘Not Normal’ you need to contact a doctor at the Slievemore General Practice on an urgent basis to disucss the result and managment plan.The doctor has been given the details of your result and can discuss these and any referral, treatment or repeat smears that have been recommended.

Booking for your free smear-please note the following points
The best time to have a smear test is 10 days to 2 weeks after the first day of your last period (unless you are no longer having periods- then you can book anytime). 
Women must being their PPS number to their first ‘Cervical Check’ appointment.
The Cervical Check programme only covers the smear test; this consultation will take approximately 15 minutes. Therefore if you have any other queries for the doctor/nurse, for example would like a prescription for your pill, your blood pressure checked, have a question/complaint unrelated to the actual smear you need to make a separate appointment (which may be immediately following the smear apt) and the usual charges apply. Please also note that the smear test does not check for vaginal infections or sexually transmitted infections and if you wish for assessment of these this can be arranged and pelase book a separate appointment.
        
Please read the following information on smear tests from the National Cervical Screening Programme on www.cervicalcheck.ie

Smear tests may also be carried out at the clinic for women who do not fall into the criteria of the programme but who still require a smear, for example any women with abnormal symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding should attend their doctor immediately. We are happy to discuss smears required outside the programme on an individual patient basis-please feel free to contact/book with us to discuss this.