"I can totally see why smear test attendance is at an all time low"

I had smear test, the nurse didn’t speak to me at all except to ask me for my name and address, and to tell me I could put my clothes on the chair and to open my legs. They didn’t even look at me. Given the intrusive, painful and unpleasant nature of smear tests, I would have expected the nurse to make me feel comfortable and at ease, to ask me if I’m ok, and to talk to me and tell me what they were about to do. I felt the nurse was rough and abrupt, it was painful, and I was visibly in pain (not discomfort) and the nurse said nothing. Not one word. While I was having it, I thought of the very high percentage of girls and women who have suffered sexual trauma, and how sensitivity and care is needed - generally for all women but especially for those women who have suffered trauma. Smear tests can be obviously re-traumatising. What support is given to them when they come for a smear test? Or beforehand? Are they asked if they need support? How could they possibly tell a hostile, cold and rude nurse that they were scared or anxious? What I experienced today would have been potentially and likely traumatic for a woman who had suffered sexual trauma. I had a similar experience last time (years ago, at the same practice) and so this year I had really delayed  having my test. I can totally see why smear test attendance is at an all time low. On the NHS website, it mentions that women don't go for smear tests because of body image worries, embarrassment and shame (all of which are true and real) but it never mentions the consequences of sexual trauma.