Pilot to boost cervical screening numbers in Birmingham launched on awareness week
A new scheme aimed at increasing the number of Birmingham and Solihull women getting screened for cancer has been launched.
A mobile cervical screening unit will be located at a number of community locations in Central Birmingham as part of efforts to take cancer prevention and early detection services directly into neighbourhoods.
The service is available to women registered with any GP practice in Birmingham and Solihull.
The pilot was first launched in December last year and around 60 women have undergone screening at the unit.
This latest round of testing comes during the national Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, which runs from January 19 to 25.
Sally Roberts, Chief Nurse and Clinical & Quality Officer at NHS Birmingham, Black Country and Solihull, said: “This pilot is a really exciting example of how we are transforming services to work better for women.
“By taking cervical screening directly into neighbourhoods, we are making access simpler, more flexible and more inclusive.
“It strongly reflects the ambitions of the national 10 Year Health Plan – creating neighbourhood health services and focusing on prevention by spotting potential problems early, before cancer develops.”
Cervical screening is offered to women aged 25 to 64 every five years. Cervical screening checks the health of cells in the cervix.
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It is not a test for cancer but helps prevent cervical cancer by identifying early cell changes that can be monitored or treated before they become serious.
The mobile cervical screening unit will operate from 9.30am to 3.30pm at:
Tuesday, January 20 – Wing Yip Supermarket, 325 Nechells Park Road, Birmingham, B7 5NT
Thursday, January 22 – Highgate Medical Centre, St Patrick’s Community Centre for Health, Frank Street, Birmingham, B12 0YA
Tuesday, January 27 – Southside Enterprise, 249 Ladypool Road, Birmingham, B12 8LF
Thursday, January 29 – Saheli Hub, Balsall Heath Calthorpe Wellbeing Hub, 257 Edward Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, B12 9LF
Tuesday, February 3 – WM Legacy Centre, Soho House, Handsworth, B18 5LB
As part of the women’s health programme with Sparkbrook Children’s Zone, the mobile unit will also operate every Thursday outside Highgate Medical Centre.
Invitations for cervical screening are now sent via the NHS App. Letters are only issued where the app is not available or has not been accessed.
Negative test results are also shared through the app, helping people stay informed and engaged with their health.
