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1 hour trip wasted

Story from nhs.uk

"1 hour trip wasted "

About: Belmont Hill Surgery

I booked an appointment for a smear test due to bleeding between periods and during intercourse. Several members of my family had cervical cancer.

I turned up just be told that no test would be done as I "was not due".

Leaving aside the mental anguish associated with being told to go away, when presenting at a surgery with a legitimate medical concern, I can't really fathom why I wasn't told from the outset that I shouldn't bother.

I work full time, so attending this appointment wasn't just time wasted, but also time off that I can't get back.

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Responses

Response from Belmont Hill Surgery 2 years ago
Belmont Hill Surgery

Submitted on 22/06/2021 at 15:11
Published on nhs.uk at 22:10

Dear Patient

I am sorry that you had a negative experience at the surgery. Smear tests are exclusively screening tests and NHS guidance dictates that they should only be done when due to allow capacity for all those eligible to be tested. Any smear samples sent to the lab which are not due will be rejected therefore we will not carry out the procedure unless patients have been invited within the parameters of the screening programme. Smear tests are specifically screening tests in order to aid early diagnoses in asymptomatic patients - If you are experiencing symptoms you should book an appointment with a GP. I am sorry for the delay in responding to you and if this information was not suitable relayed to you when you attended. If you are still experiencing symptoms please contact the surgery to book an appointment with a GP.

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