Cervical screening review: Smear test clinics to begin in Southern Trust

The first clinics in the Southern Trust to deal with a major cervical screening review will begin later on Friday at Craigavon Area Hospital.

In October, about 17,500 women received letters from the trust informing them their smear tests will be re-checked as part of a review dating back to 2008.

At the time they said about 4,000 women would be recalled for a new test.

It was triggered after a review identified significant problems with the screening process at the trust.

Women being offered a repeat smear test from Friday are those whose previous slide is unavailable.

This is either because their initial test may have taken place more than 10 years ago or because the slide is damaged or not available.

It's also been confirmed that a review has begun of 350 cervical smear slides from the Southern Trust which were set aside as a priority.

The review, which was to get under way at the start of November, was delayed after the Belfast Trust, which was to check all the slides, had its cervical cytology service accreditation suspended.

The Belfast Trust is appealing that decision.

The clinics will run each evening Monday to Thursday from 17:30 GMT to 20:00 and all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 08:00 to 20:00.

The Southern Health Trust said it will open similar clinics in other locations across the Trust, including Daisy Hill hospital, which will run for about three months.

Staff are currently in the process of contacting the affected women by phone.

• More than 300 smear tests checked as a priority

• 17,500 cervical smear tests to be re-checked

• Major review of cervical screening in NI delayed

Women who attend the clinic will receive the results of their test within six weeks.

In a statement, the Southern Health Trust apologised for any concern the ongoing review is causing the women affected.

"These smear clinics will be staffed by nurses with specialist experience of carrying out smear tests and will include nurses from within the trust as well as GP practices," the trust said.

"There will also be liaison staff available at the clinics who can provide support to women who may require it."

They urged anyone with concerns to contact the trust's cervical review information helpline or to access their website.