A health worker will help carry out cervical screening tests for Trust staff – after gaining specialist qualifications.
Claire Murphy, a nursing associate, is now fully qualified to perform the tests in the new service at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.
This was after Claire, who is already an associate practitioner in the team, passed her cervical screening training exam.
The service, which launched at the end of last year, is hoping to capture those women who may have challenges taking up their invitation for a screening appointment.
Claire said: “I have always been passionate about helping provide that care for our women. This next step in my career is something I have wanted to do for some time.
“This qualification means I now have the skills and knowledge to carry out screening tests. It means the team can work more flexibly and help even more women.
“I have worked in the Trust for more than 20 years. I know the difference we make to people’s lives and this service is just another example of that.”
One in three women do not take up the offer of a screening in Teesside.
The response to staff cervical screening
But since the service launched, lead specialist nurse colposcopist Nicola Anderson says staff have responded in significant numbers.
She said: “It is fantastic news that we are now able to add Claire to a team of staff who are able to carry out screening tests.
“It will not only help our whole gynaecology department and women across our area. But will also help our new staff screening service as it responds to demand.
“Claire is an example of how we are developing our staff for the benefit of our patients.”
Invitations for a cervical screening, which checks the health of the cervix, are offered to women from the ages of 25 to 64.
It is not a test for cancer, but rather a test to prevent cancer. A small sample of cells is checked for certain types of high risk human papillomavirus (HPV).
For more information about cervical screening, visit the NHS website.
Book a staff appointment
Staff can call the colposcopy hub and an appointment will be arranged from either women’s outpatients at the University Hospital of Hartlepool or main outpatients at the University Hospital of North Tees.
To contact the service, staff should ring 01429 522268 or email [email protected]