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Written question asked by Bridget Phillipson (Labour) on Wednesday, 4 September 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 September 2019 (named day). It was answered by Jo Churchill (Conservative) on Monday, 9 September 2019 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Cervical Cancer: Screening

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to make it easier for women with a physical disability to access cervical screening services.

Answer

NHS England is continuously investing in initiatives to help ensure equality of access to screening and, through the public health functions agreement (S7a), NHS England aims to improve public health outcomes and reduce inequalities.

General practitioner practices are required to ensure that their premises are suitable for the delivery of essential and where appropriate additional services, and that they are sufficient to meet the reasonable needs of its patients, including those with disabilities. This involves making any reasonable adjustments necessary or making alternative arrangements such as referral to a specialist screening provider or undertaking the procedures in another setting that is more suitable given any limitations to a patient’s mobility. Where a patient requires specialist equipment, clinical staff will ensure that patients have access to its use in a safe environment.

As part of the NHS Long Term Plan, NHS England asked Sir Mike Richards to lead a review of the current cancer screening programmes. The review will be finalised in autumn 2019 and will make recommendations to further improve the delivery of the screening programmes, including the cervical screening. The Department will take forward the findings of the review once published.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
286726
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Disability Cervical cancer Screening
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk