Operated by the Living Well service, the bus will target areas of low uptake, encouraging people who are eligible to have a cervical screening – or ‘smear test’ as it used to be known.
Heledd Watkins is a Clinical Lead with the Living Well Service. She shares how the team is helping women and people with a cervix to keep up to date with their cervical screening.
She says that some of the people who come to the bus feel nervous about getting screened, often putting it off. The team work hard to understand people’s experiences and support them through the process.
Helen explains: "We know that some people will be nervous coming to us. I reassure them that we can stop at any time – we go at each person’s pace and remind them it’s their choice. We have a chat, we try to get them laughing and relaxing. And when we get the screening done and sent off to the labs, we’re proud of them turning up to take control of their own health."
The test itself takes around five minutes. The bus has two rooms where screening takes place. They’re clean, comfortable and private.
"Once we’re in that room you wouldn’t know you were on a bus in the middle of a busy town centre," Heledd clarifies, "it’s a discreet and confidential service and it’s bringing the service to people rather than needing them to get to the service. We see people who haven’t had a screening in 20 years, we see first timers. By popping up in public spaces, anyone can turn up and we can do it there and then. We’ve seen teachers run out to us on their lunch breaks!"
She says they regularly get great feedback too, saying, "We’ve had people who’ve seen us bring their friend to get checked because their own experience was so positive."
The service, which has been running three-month pilots over the past year, has supported hundreds of people to get their cervical screening.
Cervical screening tests for HPV (human papillomavirus) which can cause cervical cancer. If these types of HPV are found, they can be treated before they get a chance to turn into cervical cancer.
Heledd says, "It is thankfully rare, but we have had success of ladies coming to us and finding via the test that they have had HPV or even required further treatment to prevent cancer developing – they’ve then gone on to get the treatment they needed. Without coming to the bus, they may still be in the dark about their cervical health."
Women, trans and non-binary people with a cervix, between the ages of 25 and 64 are invited to take part – even if they’re not sure when their last screening took place.
Heledd explains: "We can check right there and then via the NHS system whether someone is overdue for their screening."
For Heledd, it’s also about inspiring confidence in people.
"I may ask them what are you worried about? Have you had a bad experience, is it your first time? Let me show you our clinic room, my equipment. I explain that it takes a couple of minutes and it can potentially save your life. We’re here now, put your trust in me. We love meeting people and hearing their stories - I feel special and privileged to be sharing this service with people, treating them with the dignity they deserve," she says.
To find out more about the service and when the bus will be in your area - please visit our dedicated Living Well Service page.
