Once you have received your cervical screening invitation, the next step is to book an appointment at your GP surgery. You don’t need to wait — as soon as you get your invitation, you can call your GP practice or book online (if your practice offers this service).

You can book your appointment at any time, but it’s best to avoid booking when you are on your period, as this can affect the results. If your period starts close to your appointment date, just call your GP surgery to rearrange — it’s no problem.

If you are pregnant, cervical screening is usually postponed until 12 weeks after you've had your baby. Let your GP or nurse know, and they can advise you on when to reschedule, or if you have any concerns discuss this with your GP.

All of our practices have specially trained nurses who carry out cervical screening.

Appointments are usually quick and can often be scheduled during routine hours, with some surgeries offering evening or weekend slots for added convenience. If you feel nervous or have questions about the procedure, don’t hesitate to speak to the receptionist or nurse — they’re there to help.

You can also request:

• A female nurse or doctor (if available)

• A longer appointment if you think you'll need extra time

• Additional support if you have particular concerns (e.g., previous trauma, anxiety, or disability)

We’re here to make your cervical screening experience as comfortable and supportive as possible.

When it’s time for your test, the nurse will talk to you and explain what will happen. If you have any questions or feel nervous, you can talk to them — they are there to help you feel comfortable.

Next, you’ll be asked to take off your clothes from the waist down, behind a curtain or in private. The nurse will give you something to cover your lap. Then you’ll lie back on the bed.

You’ll usually be asked to bend your knees, put your feet together, and let your knees fall apart. This helps the nurse see your cervix (the opening to your womb).

The nurse will gently put a small tool called a speculum into your vagina. This helps them see your cervix. It might feel a bit strange, but it shouldn’t hurt.

Then, the nurse will use a small, soft brush to gently take a sample of cells from your cervix. This only takes a few seconds.

After that, the nurse will take the speculum out and give you time to get dressed in private.

The test itself only takes about 5 minutes, your whole appointment is normally 15-20 minutes ensuring you have enough time to feel comfortable and ask any questions. If it feels too uncomfortable, you can ask the nurse to stop at any time.

Once your cervical screening test is done, you’ll be able to get dressed and go about the rest of your day as normal. Most people are fine to return to work or their usual activities straight away.

You should receive your results by letter within 2-4 weeks, if you do not recieve your results in 6 weeks contact your GP practice. The letter will explain what your results mean and what, if anything, needs to happen next.

What to Expect:

• Most results are normal – this means no changes were found and you’ll be invited again in a few years, depending on your age.

• Some results may show changes in your cells – this doesn’t mean you have cancer. It just means you may need another screening test sooner, or further tests to take a closer look.

If your results suggest follow-up is needed, the letter will clearly explain the next steps. You can always contact your GP surgery if anything is unclear or if you’d like to talk through your results with a nurse or doctor.

A Few Things to Remember:

• Light spotting after the test is normal, but if you have heavy bleeding or pain, contact your GP.

• If you don’t receive your results after 6 weeks, call your GP surgery to check.

• Keep your result letter in a safe place, as it may include the date for your next screening.

Your GP surgery is here to help make your cervical screening test as easy and comfortable as possible.

If you're feeling worried or have any questions, you can call your GP and ask to speak to a nurse. If the nurse can’t talk right away, you can ask for a call back. You might also be able to visit the surgery and meet the nurse before your test — just to have a chat and feel more at ease.

Tips to Help You Feel More Comfortable

• Bring someone with you — like a friend or family member — if it helps you feel better

• Bring something to do — like a book, music, or a podcast to listen to while you wait

• Ask for a female nurse and a smaller speculum if that makes you more comfortable

• You are in control — you can ask the nurse to stop at any time, or to try a different position

• Bring anything that helps you feel calm, like a blanket, a fidget toy, or anything personal

Remember: You are not alone, and it’s okay to ask questions — even the ones that feel a bit awkward. The nurses do this all the time and they really just want to help you stay healthy.