NHS staff are being trained to combat staggeringly long wait times for smear test follow-ups, bosses have revealed.

Dr Emilia Crighton, interim director of public health at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said the health board was working around the clock to tackle 52-week waits for colposcopy exams – and urged women to attend the appointment.

The health chief said new staff are being recruited and current staff trained while also looking at external options.

Letters sent to those awaiting appointments revealed the health board was “looking to create additional colposcopy clinics” and Dr Crighton confirmed it was keen to use any and all resources currently available to tackle the issue.

She said: “It’s a specialist set-up we deliver with services across the city and we’re not looking at creating new spaces but we’ll use all resources we have available.”

The Glasgow Times Don’t Fear the Smear campaign has vowed to tackle not only lengthy wait times for colposcopies but also staggeringly low uptake rates for smear tests.

The health board’s target of 80% uptake has “slowly declined” over the years, but the team has noticed a resurgence in interest following the pandemic.

Glasgow Times:

Dr Crighton, who led the implementation of the bowel screening programme in the city, said: “During the pandemic, the programme was put on hold by the Scottish Government and, following the recovery, all services had to change the way we worked.

“It was a fairly slow recovery and, therefore, there has been a build up in terms of demand. Although we’re fully recovered, there were other areas which were not and other issues, such as staff shortages, which have left delays.

“We’re fully recovered but there are capacity issues we’re trying to work through.”

Embarrassment and fear were the biggest reasons the health board had discovered for failure to attend, with younger women the most likely to skip the appointment.

In a bid to put an end to the stigma, Dr Crighton said NHSGGC was engaging with specific community groups and charities working with core groups less likely to go along to smear tests, while also explaining the process to those who have yet to receive one.

The current process ensures women are contacted via letter with reminders to book their smear tests when they are due.

Dr Crighton told the Glasgow Times it was vital women attended the potentially life-saving appointments.

She said: “Look at the history of every woman who develops cervical cancer and it’s usually those who ignore invitations to attend or ignore follow-ups.

“I think the best way to protect yourself is to attend and those women who do follow it religiously and develop cancer are usually found very early and it can be treated easier.

“A smear test really could save your life.”