Smear test waits

A lot of my wait was because I went back to the beginning of the queue after the local hospital that found the growth referred me on to the general hospital for another endoscopy.

I gave up having smear tests years ago, but before that, I was always sent an appointment - same with mammograms though now I have to make an appointment for those myself, due to advanced age. However, a week ago, I made an appointment with the HCA for a blood test which I had on Monday; on Wednesday I had a call from the surgery to tell me to make an appointment with the GP to discuss the results - which I'd already done. I'd be reluctant to move away from here, because the service I receive from my medical centre is so good.

I think a wait of 4 weeks for a smear test is entirely reasonable. NHS cannot deliver everything we want immediately, even if it is not urgent. If a post menopausal woman had a symptom like bleeding or discharge she needs to see her GP, not book a smear test.
Sorry to hear you had a long delay with you test results crun - that is unacceptable. A relative had a similar experience but he was doggedly resisting chasing up the GP or consultant.

Thanks, I see now. Good point.

"However, it has nothing to do with this case, has it? Wihout symptoms of any kind, having to wait 4 weeks for a routine smear is hardly here or there."

That's the point I was driving at, 4 weeks for a routine test is hardly excessive if there's a 27 week wait after a problem has already been found.

And there by hangs another tale!

It seems far too long- and that wait must have been awful. Without knowing the detail of the case, it does seem far longer than should be- so glad you now know it is benign.

However, it has nothing to do with this case, has it? Wihout symptoms of any kind, having to wait 4 weeks for a routine smear is hardly here or there.

Someone I knew who has been living in Spain for a long time was furious when she was told of 3 week wait- as she had flown in for a wedding, and wanted it down during her stay. Despite the fact she was no longer entitled to use the NHS!

In total, it took over six months from the day they discovered my bowel tumour to the day I got the letter saying that it was benign.

In this area you are sent a reminder letter but it is up to you to make an appointment for a smear at your GP surgery. I think I waited about a fortnight last time. You are sent appointments for mammograms.

Did your wife not get a letter offering her an appointment as a routine though?

In many countries, you cannot have a smear test at your GPs and have to wait quite some time to get an appointment at a gyneacologist. If there are no symptoms, then really I cannot see what the problem is with waiting 4 weeks. What is the isssue here?

I think [at least I would hope] that, if she had any symptoms that she was concerned about they would find an earlier appointment. It could also be that, at this time of year staff are having to use up any annual leave that they've saved up emergencies.

Thanks all - she has no symptoms causing immediate concern - it was just the apparent (to me at least) delay in completing the test.

We have no walk-in centre nearby, and our medical practice has a half day closing today for some training (non-clinical I presume), so it probably just added to my annoyance.

From what you say it seems 4-weeks is not uncommon.

Thanks again all

As has been said if there are no symptoms causing concern then 4wks seems reasonable.

..oh, another point is that nurses can only do several smear tests in a day ie they don't have a complete morning of doing them as they do with things like diabetic checks.

I used to feel embarrassed having smear tests at my doctors cause I worked there and I knew all the nurses . So I went to a local walk in centre for my smear tests; might be worth checking if you have one nearby railman. It was always handy for ladies who worked long hours and couldn't attend during surgery hours.

I know our nurses often booked up way in advance for tests of all kinds they do various clinic tests also ... a 4 week wait isn't unusual for me but unless its urgent test thats not really long to wait in the scheme of things..

Mine is on a 3 year [or is it 5 year] rollover.
So an appointment suddenly comes through the post for a date about 4 weeks hence.
I have not tried to just ask for one.
I would assume that they are booked up for a couple of weeks.

Have you tried asking for a cancellation?
There are often those at our particular surgery.

Does your wife have any symptoms Railman that are causing concern?
If so, I would ask for an urgent appointment with a doctor.
If not, if it's just routine - it's annoying but life's too short to get stressed about it.
I have to have regular blood tests - sometimes there's a two-week wait for the phlebotomist.