If you are attending the service for a face-to-face appointment, to collect condoms or medicines please wear a face mask or face covering and maintain social distancing whilst in the clinic and waiting area.

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Smear Tests

Cervical screening (smear testing) is available through our service.

All women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 should be invited by letter.

You can book an appointment as soon as you get a letter.

If you missed your last cervical screening, you do not need to wait for a letter to book an appointment

When you'll be invited for cervical screening:

under 25
up to 6 months before you turn 25
25 to 49
every 3 years
50 to 64
every 5 years
65 or older
only if 1 of your last 3 tests was abnormal

When cervical screening is not recommended:

If you're under 25

You will not be invited for cervical screening until you're 25 because:

  • cervical cancer is very rare in people under 25
  • it might lead to having treatment you do not need – abnormal cell changes often go back to normal in younger women

If you're 65 or older

You'll usually stop being invited for screening once you turn 65. This is because it's very unlikely that you'll get cervical cancer.

You'll only be invited again if 1 of your last 3 tests was abnormal.

If you're 65 or older and have never been for cervical screening, or have not had cervical screening since the age of 50, you can ask your GP for a test.

If you are aged 25+ and your Smear Test is due or overdue (you've received a testing reminder letter), visit our Haymarket drop-in clinic on Sunday 15th September between 11am - 3pm to get your test. For more information please call: 0300 124 0102.

Don't Fear The Smear. 

During cervical screening a small sample of cells is taken from your cervix for testing.

The test itself should take less than 5 minutes. The whole appointment should take about 10 minutes.

It's usually done by a female nurse or doctor.

Before starting, they should explain what will happen during the test and answer any questions you have.

What Will I Need to Do?

  1. You'll need to undress (behind a screen) from the waist down. You'll be given a sheet to put over you.
  2. The nurse will ask you to lie back on a bed, usually with your legs bent, feet together and knees apart. Sometimes you may need to change position during the test.
  3. They'll gently put a smooth, tube-shaped tool (a speculum) into your vagina. A small amount of lubricant should be used.
  4. The nurse will open the speculum so they can see your cervix.
  5. Using a soft brush, they'll take a small sample of cells from your cervix.
  6. The nurse will close and remove the speculum and leave you to get dressed.

Useful links

Midlands Partnership Foundation NHS Trust Providing Sexual Health Services in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Services commissioned by Leicester City and Leicestershire and Rutland County Councils.
Thank you for your booking request, further information will be sent to you by email in the next 5 working days.
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IMPORTANT SERVICE USER INFORMATION

CALLER INFORMATION

We are receiving a high volume of calls and may not be able to answer your call today. Appointments will be booked according to your initial clinical assessment; this means you may not get an appointment on the same day that you call.

We thank you for your patience and ask that you are respectful to our call handlers otherwise your call may have to be terminated.

CLINICS AFFECTED BY NHS CORONAVIRUS ADVICE

As a result of the Coronavirus outbreak and national guidance we have had to make some changes to our clinics.

Haymarket Health, Loughborough Health Centre and Oakham clinics are open for booked appointments only - no walk-in patients.

Where we are able to, we are opening some of our other clinics very soon. Please see the 'All Clinics' page on our website for individual clinic information.

All clinics are appointment only, please call 0300 124 0102.

All service users will be asked these questions before an appointment is booked and before being permitted to the clinic

Q: Have you lost the sense of taste or smell or both? 

Q: Are you currently experiencing any symptoms of coronavirus (cough, fever, shortness of breath) or feel unwell?

Q: Have you had any COVID-19 symptoms in the last 10 days?

Q: Do you have coronavirus, or have you been in contact with someone who has confirmed coronavirus?

Q: Have you recently returned from a holiday from a destination that is listed as high risk and requires you to isolate? 

Q: Have you been contacted by NHS Test and Trace and asked to isolate?

 If you have answered yes to any of these questions please protect yourself and others and stay at home and self-isolate.

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