Cervical Screening: Smear Tests

Women aged between 24 and 64 should have a cervical screening every 3 to 5 years to help prevent cervical cancer. The screening is quick and painless and can be done here in the practice.

If you are aged over 24 and have never had a smear test, or if it has been more than 3 to 5 years since your last screening, you should arrange an appointment with our Practice Nurse. You should not have the test while you are having a period or in the 4 days before or after your period as this can affect the sample.

Cervical screening is not a test for cancer. It is a method of preventing cancer by detecting and treating early abnormalities which, if left untreated, could lead to cancer in a woman’s cervix (the neck of the womb).

A sample of cells is taken from the cervix for analysis. A doctor or nurse inserts an instrument (a speculum) to open the woman’s vagina and uses a spatula to sweep around the cervix. Most women consider the procedure to be only mildly uncomfortable.

Early detection and treatment can prevent 75 per cent of cancers developing but like other screening tests, it is not perfect. It may not always detect early cell changes that could lead to cancer.
All women between the ages of 25 and 64 are eligible for a free cervical screening test every three to five years. The NHS call and recall system invites women who are registered with a GP. It also keeps track of any follow-up investigation, and, if all is well, recalls the woman for screening in three or five years time. It is therefore important that all women ensure their GP has their correct name and address details and inform them if these change.

Women who have not had a recent test may be offered one when they attend their GP or family planning clinic on another matter. Women should receive their first invitation for routine screening at 25.

How is it done?

Please see the following video for more information on how cervical screening is done:

This is because changes in the young cervix are normal. If they were thought to be abnormal this could lead to unnecessary treatment which could have consequences for women’s childbearing. Any abnormal changes can be easily picked up and treated from the age of 25. Rarely, younger women experience symptoms such as unexpected bleeding or bleeding after intercourse. In this case they should see their GP for advice.
Women aged 65 and over who have had three consecutive negative results are taken out of the call recall system. The natural history and progression of cervical cancer means it is highly unlikely that such women will go on to develop the disease. Women aged 65 and over who have never had a test are entitled to one.
The NHS Cervical Screening Programme invites all women between the ages of 25 and 64 for cervical screening. But if a woman has never been sexually active with a man, then the research evidence shows that her chance of developing cervical cancer is very low indeed. We do not say no risk, only very low risk. In these circumstances, a woman might choose to decline the invitation for cervical screening on this occasion. If a woman is not currently sexually active but has had male partners in the past, then we would recommend that she continues screening.

Well Woman Clinic

Advice and treatment for a wide range of women’s health issues.

Please contact reception for further information or to book an appointment.

Diabetes

This clinic offers advice and general health check-ups to patients diagnosed with diabetes.

Patients are seen by the nurse and a doctor.  

Child Health and Immunisation

Quote / Testimonial:
One of the most important things that a parent can do for their child is to make sure that they have all their routine childhood vaccinations. It’s the most effective way of keeping them protected against infectious diseases.

Ideally, kids should have their jabs at the right age to protect them as early as possible and minimise the risk of infection.

Immunisation Sessions

  • Tuesday 11am-1pm

All new babies are invited for regular check-ups from eight weeks old. The Health Visitor can be contacted at Torrington Park Health Centre on (0208) 446 4201 between 9am and 10am Monday to Friday.

The Health Visitor is also able to attend at home.

Vaccination Checklist

Here’s a checklist of the vaccines that are routinely offered to everyone in the UK for free on the NHS, and the age at which you should ideally have them.

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib, a bacterial infection that can cause severe pneumonia or meningitis in young children) given as a 5-in-1 single jab known as DTaP/IPV/Hib
Pneumococcal infection
5-in-1, second dose (DTaP/IPV/Hib)
Meningitis C
5-in-1, third dose (DTaP/IPV/Hib)
Pneumococcal infection, second dose
Meningitis C, second dose
Meningitis C, third dose
Hib, fourth dose (Hib/MenC given as a single jab)
MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), given as a single jab
Pneumococcal infection, third dose
MMR second jab
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio (DtaP/IPV), given as a 4-in-1 pre-school booster
Cervical cancer (HPV) vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer (girls only): three jabs given within six months
Diphtheria, tetanus and polio booster (Td/IPV), given as a single jab

Vaccines For Risk Groups

People who fall into certain risk groups may be offered extra vaccines. These include vaccinations against diseases such as hepatitis B, tuberculosis (TB), seasonal flu and chickenpox. See the NHS Choices pages on vaccines for adults to find out whether you should have one.

Further information

e-Referral Service

The NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) combines electronic booking with a choice of place, date and time for first hospital or clinic appointments.

Patients can choose their initial hospital or clinic appointment, book it in the GP surgery at the point of referral, or later at home on the phone or online.

Further information

Non-NHS Services

Certain services provided are not covered by the NHS and you will be asked to pay a fee for a non-NHS procedure. 

– To Whom It May Concern Letters
– Passport Signing (0 -12 years)
– Public Carriage Office
– Full Medical & Report
– School/University Forms
– Insurance Claim Forms
– To Freeze Gym Membership
– Private Prescriptions
– Malaria Prescriptions
– Private Sick Notes
– Private Doctor & Nurse Consultations
– Holiday Vaccinations such as Yellow Fever and Meningitis
– Chicken Pox Vaccinations

If your request is within 5 days you may be charged more.
View the full Fees List

NHS sick notes are only provided for social security reasons for absences of more that seven days from work. Self -Certification forms should be used for situation where you have been off work for less than seven days. Any sick notes can only be given if you have attended the surgery during the time of your illness.

Private letters of referral to Consultants are free of charge.

Travel Clinic

We provide a holiday/travel vaccination service, offering protection and cover against yellow fever, meningitis, hepatitis A B, typhoid and tetanus. Up-to-date advice is given for appropriate anti-malarial protection.

Please make and appointment at least six weeks before you travel.

Make sure you have adequate medical insurance and if you are visiting an EEC country you will need form E111. An application form is included in The Travellers Guide to Health (booklet S40) available from the Post Office.

You must download and complete this form and then hand it in at the Surgery to make an appointment with the nurse a minimum of 6 weeks before departure. Alternatively, you can complete our online form.

If you do not comply with the above you may be referred to a travel clinic.

  • Please also note that there may be a charge for certain vaccines, medication and Private Prescriptions.
Visit Fit For Travel to find out more information about countries and vaccinations required.

Why vaccines are important

There’s no point spending hours choosing your swimwear, beach bag and flip-flops if you barely think about the bugs and other health risks that could ruin your holiday.

Almost one in four UK holidaymakers don’t get any vaccinations despite travelling to areas that have life-threatening infectious disease.

Find out which travel jabs you need for your destination.

It’s not worth skipping travel vaccinations. Infectious diseases can make you very sick, spoil your holiday and even kill or cripple you.

Vaccinations protect you against many travel-related infections, such as yellow fever, typhoid and hepatitis A. Use the information on these pages to learn about travel vaccines, which ones you need for your destination, and when and where to get them.

For additional general information, read our articles on travel health.

The vaccinations currently available for travellers abroad.
Find out more
Some travel vaccinations are freely available on the NHS. Others are only available privately.
Find out more
Where and when to have your travel jabs.
Find out more

Flu & Pneumococcal Immunisation

Does Age Affect The Risk Of Flu?

Yes. If you are aged 65 years or over or you are at higher risk.

If you are aged 65 years or over or if you are on regular inhaled steroids
If you have a chronic respiratory disease (including asthma)
If you have chronic heart disease
If you have chronic renal disease
If you are diabetic
If you have a weak immune system
If you live in a long-stay residential or nursing home
If you have a chronic liver disease
If you are a carer

Do I Need To Be Protected Against Pneumococcal Infection?

Everybody aged 65 and over should now be immunised to help protect them against pneumococcal infection which can cause diseases such as pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis.

Please phone the surgery during September to make an appointment if the above applies to you.