Wednesday 02 January 2019
Free cervical screening has been introduced in Guernsey and Alderney for women aged between 25 and 65. The costs of free screening will be covered by the Committee for Health & Social Care.
Previously, most women in Guernsey and Alderney had to pay for cervical screening. The screening procedure will stay the same in that eligible women will be automatically invited and will contact their GP practices, Choices or the Orchard Clinic to book their screening appointment. The only change is that the whole process is now free of charge to the individual.
The Committee forHeath & Social Care is proud of its partnership with Primary Care, which has helped to deliver a successful Cervical Screening Programme over many years, and has worked with Primary Care, Choices and the Orchard Centre to involve them in the future design and delivery of the service.
The key is to provide an equitable and accessible cervical screening service to all eligible women and to encourage more women to attend their screening appointment. With the introduction of this new service women will be able to attend a service of their choice (their GP practice, Choices or the Orchard Centre) and will not be charged for their cervical screening.
Emily Davies, Public Health Practitioner, said:
"We know that there are many reasons why women do not attend screening. We also know that locally cost is a major factor that prevents women from attending screening. The shift towards free cervical screening is a very positive step forward and we hope that more women will be encouraged to attend cervical screening now that cost is no longer a barrier.
For those women who have not had regular screening in the past, please contact your GP to book an appointment."
Dr Nicola Brink, Director of Public Health, said:
"Each year in Guernsey and Alderney, approximately 5 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed with approximately 1-2 deaths from cervical cancer recorded per year. The cervical screening programme, together with our HPV vaccination programme, will help us move towards our goal of eliminating cervical cancer in the Bailiwick."
Heidi Soulsby, President of the Committeefor Health & Social Care, added:
"This is an excellent initiative that will hopefully increase screening attendance and lead to better health outcomes for women. We are committed to improving outcomes through prevention and early intervention, as outlined in the Partnership of Purpose policy letter. This change also means that cervical screening will now be free like the two other cancer screening programmes for bowel and breast cancer."
Further information on cervical screening is available from Emily Davies Public Health Practitioner on 707311 or e-mail Emily.davies@gov.gg
