Thousands in funding secured for cervical screening push in Suffolk
The Suffolk GP Federation's made a successful bid for the money.
Last updated 4th Apr 2021
Suffolk GP Federation has secured nearly £130,000 to spend on a programme designed to increase the uptake of potentially life-saving cervical screening's in the county.
The money's going to pay for four new nurses, two of whom will work in East Suffolk and the other two in the West.
They'll be known as "cervical screening health educators" and will also be able to carry out the screenings.
The scheme is aimed at targeting specific groups of people, such as those from ethnic communities or deprived areas, to encourage them to take part in a screening.
Dr Ruth Bushaway, the Federation's Medical Director, said:
"This work will build on an initiative that the Federation started in October last year to increase the uptake of cervical screening by providing weekday evening and weekend appointments.
"Suffolk GP Federation is passionate about addressing inequalities in health care and this service will target specific groups who are far less likely to accept their cervical smear invitation than others.
"These include women who have never had a smear, who live in deprived communities, who are from ethnic minorities or who have a learning disability or mental health issues.
"If you're in one of these categories and some others, there is a real risk that cases of cervical cancer will not be spotted until it is too late for treatment.
"This is what drives us to want to make things better."
The funding has come from the Suffolk and North Essex Integrated Care System's (ICS) Cancer Transformation Programme.
Among the other groups who will also be targeted are: women aged 25-49 who have not been screened in four years, women aged 50-64 who have not had a smear in six years, and the LGBT community.
The service will work with health professionals, such as GPs, practice nurses and care co-ordinators, and also with social prescribers, patients, schools, colleges, the University of Suffolk, community leaders, community organisations and charities.
It will aim to educate women about cervical screening and its benefits, and to encourage and empower women to ask questions about a subject which they may previously have found difficult for various reasons.
Online educational sessions and focus groups will be provided and there will be targeted campaigns on social media.
Other initiatives will include longer appointment slots, pre-appointment telephone consultations and language aids alongside other adjustments for women.
There will also be a particular emphasis on targeting women who are 25 and have been invited along for their first smear test.
Dr Peter Holloway, a Mendlesham GP who is the GP Cancer Lead for the ICS, said: "There is still an urgent need to increase cervical screening rates in our local population.
"This initiative from the Suffolk GP Federation has already attracted national recognition, and we hope this funding will allow both sustainability and increase in scope.
"It is a superb example of active collaboration in primary care to increase early cancer diagnosis and so improve outcomes."