McInnes calls for wider research into low screening uptake
November 17, 2008 5:00 PM
Aberdeenshire MSP Alison McInnes today called for an expansion in the national research project aimed at understanding why uptake of cervical smear tests has fallen in Grampian.
Mrs McInnes wrote to Richard Carey, Chief Executive of NHS Grampian after it emerged that uptake of cervical smear tests had declined by almost 5% in the last year.
In his reply Mr Carey said that a national research project had been launched which would identify the causes behind the decline.
Mrs McInnes commented: "While I am glad that NHS Scotland is taking this worrying trend seriously, it is important that this research is thorough."
Mr Carey identified a number of possible reasons for the decline, including changes to the information leaflets received by women with their invitations; changes to the way in which the data is collected; and changes to the GP contracts which treats screening programmes differently from before.
Mrs McInnes added: "I have called for two more factors to be considered. We need to know whether the decline has been more severe amongst younger women new to the screening programme.
"Also, invitations for screening are now sent out from a central point in Livingstone. It is possible that this has led to women assuming that the contents of the letter are impersonal or unimportant.
"I am pleased, however, that information on cervical screening is to be included in information available to patients taking part in the Keep Well programme and I hope to see this bear fruit."
Mrs McInnes has written to NHS Scotland, urging them to take all factors into account.
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