Invitation for cervical screening You will receive a letter from your local health authority or GP asking you to make an appointment for your smear test. You can choose whether to have the smear taken at your GP practice or family planning clinic. Most women choose to have their smear taken by their GP or practice nurse. You can ask to have your smear taken by a female doctor or nurse if you prefer. Taking a smear The smear taker should explain the procedure and you should feel able to ask any questions at any time.
Most women consider the procedure only to be mildly uncomfortable.
The sample of cells are then transferred onto a slide which is sent to a laboratory for examination under a microscope. You should receive the result of your smear test in writing within six weeks from the date of your test. Most women receive a normal result, which means that the cells seen on the slide in the laboratory were considered to be normal. These women are recalled for another routine smear test within three to five years. Some women receive an abnormal result.