The Tredegar Practice

Morning lines open from 8am to 12.30pm
Afternoon lines open from 2pm to 6.30pm

NHS colleagues can use the NHS Service Finder to find our secure email and bypass number.

Cervical Screening (Smear Tests)

We offer smear tests (cervical screening) at the practice in line with the national program

If you are due a smear test please organise an appointment with any of our nurses.

It’s best to book an appointment for a time when:

  • you’re not having a period – also try to avoid the 2 days before or after you bleed (if you do not have periods, you can book any time)
  • you have finished treatment if you have unusual vaginal discharge or a pelvic infection

More info about smear tests and what happens can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/ 

Inadequate Smears

Some times smear tests come back as ‘inadequate’ and the lab are unable to process the sample. This is usually because not enough cervical cells were taken to give an accurate assessment, or there may have been an infection (such as thrush) or mucous or blood which may be covering the sample taken from the cervix.

You can book your repeat test the same way as any other smear test but if you have an inadequate result then the test should be repeated in 3 months time as this allows the lining (epithelium) of the cervix to regenerate so there are enough cells to test. If the test is done too soon it will likely be inadequate again.

 

Date published: 8th October, 2014
Date last updated: 12th August, 2022