Maintain pressure on reforms to protect NHSHundreds of women in Kent face repeat smear tests
Hundreds of women in Kent are being asked to repeat their cervical smear tests amid concerns that a nurse involved was not suitably qualified to carry out the tests.
NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent has sent letters to the 536 affected women who have had smear tests in surgeries in Sheppey and Sittingbourne since April 2007.
The move by the PCT comes after concerns were raised over the qualifications of one of the nurses involved.
Officials said that although the nurse had attended both theoretical and practical sessions, the assessment was not independently examined and final authorisation was not given.
Although there is no evidence to suggest that the tests carried out by the nurse were of a poor quality, PCT officials said they could not be certain of the risk.
Dr John Rodriguez, assistant director of public health and screening lead for Kent and Medway, said: `We would like to apologise for any distress or inconvenience this may cause. I would encourage the women to make appointments to be retested to make sure they have received the best quality screening.
‘Although it is most likely that the tests were performed to a satisfactory standard, we can not be sufficiently certain, and therefore this recall exercise is a precautionary measure.’
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Readers' comments (1)
judith willis | 23-Jun-2009 12:16 pm
As we all know, the procedure for taking a cervical smear must be taken properly and at an appropriate time.
This nurse has undergone both theoretical and practical training and has undertaken this procedure since 2007.
1. Why was she not appropriately assessed at said time
2. Why has she not been examined NOW to assess her competance?
For the Pct to recall some 500 + women for repeat smears, is ludicrous, un-necessarily expensive and extremly worrying to those women involved.
A piece of "paper" does not ensure a safe practitioner, this nurse may well be an extremely good, safe practitioner,unlike I am afraid to say, some Gp's, whose technique leaves a lot to be desired at times.
Unsuitable or offensive?