Waiting times in Lincolnshire for smear test results are still “unacceptable” but are improving, the NHS has said after being questioned by a county health group.
In August The Voice reported that women were facing up to 12 week delays on getting their results for cervical screening tests.
It’s because the Derby-based laboratory which examines tests taken within South Holland is running with a backlog due to “insufficient screening capacity”.
A change of testing procedure is being blamed for the delays as staff need to be trained and qualified for the new system.
Screening is changing to a system which tests for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which, according to the NHS, could prevent around 600 cases of cancer a year.
Healthwatch Lincolnshire asked NHS England about the current delays.
A spokesman responded: “NHS England acknowledges that the time women are currently waiting for cervical screening results in Lincolnshire is not acceptable and we apologise to women who are suffering delays in receiving their results.
“Difficult though it is, women and their clinicians are asked to be patient in the knowledge that the service is working through the samples as fast as it can, the current backlog has started to be reduced and will continue to do so.
“With regards to potential clinical risk associated with delays; the aim of screening is to detect and treat pre-cancerous changes, it is not a test for cervical cancer.
“The length of time for abnormal cells to become cancerous is reflected in the relatively long screening intervals of three and five years depending on age.”
A spokesman for the Healthwatch Lincolnshire, group said: “Whilst this provides some reassurance that delays are improving and the risk of harm is managed, this can only be improved by women being more aware of the risks and going to their scheduled appointments for screening, prevention being the better option for our residents.
“All health screening is essential to ensuring any changes to our body are picked up early, cervical screening alongside breast screening is certainly among one of the most important that all women should commit too.
“Early detection of changes can often be a life saver, so Healthwatch Lincolnshire urges all women to attend every offer to be screened they receive.”
The NHS website says it aims to have smear test results returned to patients within 14 days.
With HPV primary screening, further tests are carried out if the virus is present in the sample. If not, routine screening is conducted again on the three or five year age-related schedule.
