NEW colposcopy clinics could be set up in a bid to tackle the city’s lengthy wait times, the Glasgow Times can reveal.

Letters sent to patients waiting for the appointments, which are given as follow-ups to routine smear tests when HPV is found during the initial examination, claim the health board is seeking to set up new clinics to battle the current 52-week wait times instead of the recommended eight weeks.

The documents, which are understood to have been sent following the launch of the Glasgow Times Don’t Fear the Smear campaign in March, state NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is working to find a solution to speed up the process.

It reads: “We are sorry for the extended waiting times, however, we are creating additional colposcopy clinics which will assist in reducing the length of time patients have to wait to be allocated an appointment.”

The Don’t Fear the Smear campaign has vowed to increase the uptake of smear tests among Glaswegian women as most recent figures show only around 64% of those eligible attend the vital screening.

Similarly, the campaign pledged to lower wait times for both initial results and follow-up appointments.

Women have criticised the health board for the lengthy delays, saying it would put people off attending the appointments.

The health board insists it is committed to reducing the delays and said any urgent cases would still be seen within an eight-week period.

A NHSGGC spokesperson said: “As is the case throughout the country, services across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, including our colposcopy service, are under considerable pressure. All our staff are doing all they can to address these challenges, and we would like to thank them for their continuing commitment and professionalism.

“We would like to apologise to any patient who has experienced a longer wait for a colposcopy than they would have expected, and for any distress or anxiety this might have caused. We would like to reassure all women that urgent cases continue to be prioritised, with confirmed urgent appointments being issued within two weeks.

“Currently, colposcopies are carried out at Stobhill Hospital, Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Vale of Leven District General Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

“We continue to work hard to reduce colposcopy waiting times, and are actively seeking to appoint more clinicians, and expand senior medical and nurse specialists' capacity moving forward.”

Glasgow Times:

Iona Stoddart, head of Scotland at Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, said it was important to ensure women were supported while facing an anxious wait for their appointment.

She said: "We welcome the steps being taken to reduce waiting times for colposcopy in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area, and hope that action continues with urgency.

“The emotional impact of having to wait for an appointment cannot be underestimated, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is here for anyone with questions and concerns about their appointment, screening and cervical cancer."

Support Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust and help make cervical cancer a thing of the past. If you have questions or need to talk, call the helpline for information or support on 0808 802 8000.