Lanarkshire charity offers support as it encourages women to book their smear tests

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A programme to support women through their cervical smear appointments is being rolled out by a new charity.Healthy n Happy Community Development Trust are helping women to liaise with their GPs, as well as arranging more flexible evening appointments.In partnership with NHS Lanarkshire’s sexual health team, the charity aims to increase the uptake of cervical screening appointments in Cambuslang and Rutherglen,The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android it comes on the back of a community consultation to determine why women find it difficult to attend their appointments.

Jan Taylor from Healthy n Happy told us : “Attendance rates for cervical screening are low in Cambuslang and Rutherglen, so we sent out a survey and one of the main things that came from it was the time. “Most people work 9 to 5 so they can’t come during those hours.

There’s also fear and the embarrassment of it as well.“We want to provide better access to health services for women in Cambuslang and Rutherglen.”The success of the ongoing programme is already evident.From July to December 2021, there were 23 woman that had booked evening appointments, with many more being supported to attend their GP appointments, some of whom have not attended for many years.Jan also added: “Our community engagement worker Lizzy is on hand to support and