New first-time smear appointments available

Published October 2024

Axess sexual health has opened new appointments for first-time cervical smears in Halton and Warrington. If you live in those areas and have been invited to get your smear for the first time, you now have more availability to choose from when selecting your smear appointment.

Cervical screening (a smear test) is a test to check the health of the cervix.

It is not a test for cancer, but it is a test to help prevent cancer. It is offered to anyone with a cervix (the opening to your womb from your vagina), who is age 25 to 64.

Your invite to have a smear test is by letter, so it is important that your GP has your up-to-date address, or you may not receive your invite. You need to have received this invite before booking an appointment.

During the screening appointment, a small tube will be gently inserted into your vagina, so that your cervix can be seen. A sample of cells will be taken from your cervix using a soft brush. Please remember, our staff are here to support you, and are very experienced in this field, so there is no need to feel embarrassed. Click here to watch an NHS video which will explain this further.

Your smear test should only take around five minutes.

Axess sexual health has an online booking function for select services. Click here to visit our Lilie Hub and book an appointment for your cervical smear.