Pilot project cuts time for smear tests

17 November 2009

A PILOT project has cut the time women wait to get their smear test results from six weeks to just two. Some have even been told the outcome in just seven days.

The tests were done at Barts and the London NHS Trust which was one of ten across the country to take part in the three-month trial.

For the last three months the Trust has returned 100 per cent of smear tests within two weeks, and a further 91 per cent in only one week.

The Government has set a target for all women to receive their test results within a fortnight by 2010 as part of its Cancer Reform Strategy. Cervical cancer can be prevented through regular cervical screening, writes KAY ATWAL.

Rachel Flowers, Joint Director of Public Health for NHS Newham and London Borough of Newham, said: "This improvement in the turn round time for results is very welcome news for women who are tested.

"They now know very quickly whether they need further examination or if all is well."

Full story in this week's Stratford Express and our sister paper, the Newham Recorder