More appointments are being made available for people who live in Sefton who have missed cervical screening appointments.

The Living Well Bus will be at various locations across Southport and Formby offering drop-in cervical screening appointments to women and people with a cervix who have missed any previous appointments.

Dates and locations:

• Friday 30th August- 10:30am to 4pm Asda Bootle L20 4BB
  
  
• Tuesday 3rd September - 1pm to 6:30pm Lidl, Seaforth L21 6PD
  
  
• Friday 6th September - 10:30am to 4pm Netherton Activity Centre L30 3TL
  
  
• Saturday 7th September - 10:30am to 4pm Netherton Activity Centre L30 3TL
  
  
• Tuesday 10th September - 1pm to 6:30pm Lidl, Seaforth L21 6PD 
  
  
• Friday 13th September - 10:30am to 4pm Netherton Activity Centre L30 3TL
  
  
• Tuesday 17th September – 1pm to 6.30pm Southport & Formby Hospital carpark PR8 6RQ
  
  
• Friday 20th September - 10.30am to 4.00pm 12 Church Street (Next to the medical centre), Southport PR9 0QT
   
• Saturday 21st September - 10.30am to 4pm Waitrose Formby, Three Tuns Ln, Formby, Liverpool L37 4AJ
   
• Friday 27th September - 10.30am to 4.00pm 12 Church Street (Next to the medical centre), Southport PR9 0QT
   
• Saturday 28th September - 10.30am to 4.00pm Waitrose Formby, Three Tuns Ln, Formby, Liverpool L37 4AJ
  
  

Hosted by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT, these visits by the Living Well Bus follow a similar series of events held in Southport and Formby in July.

Less than 5 minutes

The cervical screening test itself should take less than five minutes and the whole appointment should take around 10 minutes. You can bring someone with you to your appointment, such as a friend, family member or chaperone, to make you feel more comfortable.

You can find out more about the drop-in service in Sefton at www.cwp.nhs.uk/livingwellservice

For more information about the NHS cervical screening programme, visit the NHS website - www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/

Missing important test

The uptake of cervical screening in some areas of Sefton is 52%, compared to the national average of 70%, meaning some women and people with a cervix living in Sefton are missing this important test.

The cervical screening programme is very important and saves thousands of lives each year.

Cervical screening (which used to be known as the smear test) tests for HPV (human papillomavirus) 

HPV can cause cervical cancer. If these types of HPV are found, they can be treated before they get a chance to turn into cervical cancer.

Women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 are eligible for cervical screening, and those aged 25-49 will be invited every three years, whereas those aged 50-64 will be invited every 5 years. You will only be invited aged 65 and older if a recent test was abnormal. The majority of people who attend cervical screening have a normal result.

The pilot mobile unit will operate as a drop-in service for those who are overdue their cervical screening or have missed any previous appointments, and will provide a safe, comfortable and private area for cervical screening appointments to take place.

An appointment that’s convenient

Julie Kelly, Head of Public Health at NHS England North West, said: “Not everyone attends their cervical screening appointment when invited, and we’re aware that one of the reasons for this is access and finding an appointment that’s convenient for them.

“In Sefton, we know the uptake of the screening is significantly lower compared to other areas, and therefore, we are running a pilot mobile site providing a drop-in service at central locations.

“So, if anyone is overdue their screening test or have been invited in the past but not attended, I’d encourage them to pop in to the unit where the staff will be happy to help and talk through any worries or concerns they may have.”

Private and discreet

Suzanne Edwards, Director of Operations and Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT, who host the Living Well Service, said: “CWP are proud to play our part in the delivery of cervical screening tests in Sefton.

“The Living Well Service enables us to provide private and discreet cervical screening test in a time and place that best suits the needs of the people we care for.

“Our team will do everything they can to make people comfortable when they visit the service, they will be happy to talk anyone who visits through the process and give tips and advice to ease any anxiety.

“If you are due for a screening test, please don’t delay. You can drop in at any of our clinics no appointment necessary.”