Cervical Screening (Smears)

Smear reminders are sent out to patients who also receive information via post from NHS England. Patients can book appointments to see the Nurse at a time to suit themselves via the patient access website/app or by giving us a call.

Screening is the process of identifying individuals who appear healthy but may be at increased risk of a disease or condition. The process is not perfect and in every screen there are a number of false positives and false negatives. NHS cervical screening programme is available to women aged 25 to 64 in England. All eligible women who are registered with a GP automatically receive an invitation by mail. Women aged 25 to 49 receive invitations every 3 years. Women aged 50 to 64 receive invitations every 5 years. NHS Choices provides information for the public on the cervical screening programme.

Evidence and recommendations

UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) assesses evidence and makes recommendations to the 4 UK governments about population screening programmes.

UK NSC looked at the starting age for cervical cancer screening in 2012. They recommended not to invite women for cervical screening until the age of 25.

Evidence shows that the chance of developing cervical cancer if a woman has never had sex is low. If a woman is not currently sexually active but has been in the past, then the recommendation is that she continues screening

Screening tests

Cervical screening is a method of preventing cancer by detecting and treating abnormalities of the cervix.

Cervical cytology

The programme uses liquid based cytology (LBC) to collect samples of cells from the cervix.

The laboratory will examine these samples under the microscope to look for any abnormal changes in the cells.

Human papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus transmitted through sexual contact. In most cases, a woman’s immune system will clear the infection without the need for treatment.

HPV has over 100 subtypes, most of which do not cause significant disease in humans.

Known as high risk HPV (HR-HPV), some subtypes can cause cervical cancer. In particular HPV16 and HPV18.

Evidence has linked HR-HPV to the development of abnormal cervical cells. If left untreated, these abnormal cells may go on to develop into cervical cancer.

Early detection and treatment can prevent 75% of cancers developing.

Cervical Screening Leaflets can be viewed on the Gov.uk website.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cervical-screening-programme-overview

Pregnancy

The role they have in preparing women for the delivery of new life makes midwives a vital presence during allstages of pregnancy, labour and the early post-natal period. They work together with your GP to guide you through your pregnancy.

Pregnant patients can self-refer to Halton Midwifery Team based at the Widnes HCRC.

Midwifery Services
Widnes Health Care Resource Centre
Oaks Place, Caldwell Road
Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 7GD

Telephone: 0151 495 5079
Textphone: 18001 0151 495 5079

From 1 November 2021, Bridgewater maternity services were transferred over to St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospital NHS Trust and Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

You can refer yourself online to Warrington & Halton Hospitals Midwifery Service directly here.

Please telephone us if you wish to be seen by St Helens & Knowsley.

Post-natal One Stop

Mothers attending for postnatal examination will be seen the Paediatric Advanced Nurse Practitioner. Babies will also receive their 6-8 week check during this clinic along with their first immunisations.

Clinics are held on Monday mornings. For further information, please call us on 0151 495 5140.

Long Term Condition Management

As part of our commitment to high quality care for all, the practice nurse invites patients in for an annual review of their long term condition.

These patients will be contacted by practice staff offering an annual Long Term Condition review. This will be done by telephone or if you prefer by text or email if you have given your consent. You can do that here.

You can also telephone the practice yourself or attend our reception desk to make an appointment when the time is convenient to you.

Annual reviews give us the opportunity to see how you are coping with your condition and offer advice and support for your needs. While we strongly encourage patients to attend their annual reviews, if you can’t, or don’t want to attend, we would be grateful if you could notify us so that we do not send you any more reminders until the following year.

The various types of review appointments we offer are run by specific clinicians and are each structured differently, depending on the condition being reviewed, so it is important to request the right appointment type from the receptionist when you book. If you are housebound and unable to attend the practice, you can phone the practice and request a home visit.

Child Immunisation

Child immunisation clinics are held by the Paediatric Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Practice Nurse Monday mornings at the practice.

Halton Child Health arrange immunisation appointments with the practice and notify the patient.

If you have missed your child’s scheduled immunisation, please call the practice and we will try to fit you in at the end of immunisation clinic.

NHS Health Checks

The NHS Health Check is a health check-up for adults in

England aged 40-74. It’s designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia. As we get older, we have a higher risk of developing one of these conditions. An NHS Health Check helps find ways to lower this risk.

We offer free NHS health checks with a health trainer for eligible patients. There is a dedicated website to NHS Health Checks which you can access here.