The Cervical Assessment Clinic

You have an appointment to attend the Cervical Assessment Clinic (CAC). This leaflet explains what may be involved. Please read this leaflet carefully and keep it for reference.

Please contact the clinic before your appointment if:

• You think you will be having your period at the time of your appointment as your appointment may need to be rescheduled
• You’re pregnant or think you may be pregnant- assessment of the cervix, vulva and vagina is safe in pregnancy but you need to inform the clinic before you attend your appointment
• You need an interpreter

If you cannot attend your appointment, please telephone the Admin Team on 01223 216603, giving as much notice as possible so that someone else can use your appointment.

Following your recent visit to your GP, you have been referred to the CAC clinic for one or more of the following reasons:

• to undergo a smear test because it was not possible to perform this at your GP surgery
• for the removal of a cervical polyp which was discovered at your vaginal examination
• your GP is concerned about the appearance of your cervix
• you have some vaginal symptoms –for example abnormal bleeding

The purpose of the referral is to assess the cervix/ vagina and vulva for any abnormalities.

A general anaesthetic is not required and you can therefore eat and drink as normal before and after your appointment. You may wish to bring someone with you.

When you come for your appointment

The procedure takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

When you arrive at the clinic, the receptionist will check you in. If your name, address or GP has changed since your appointment was made, please telephone the clinic co-ordinator on 01223 216603 before you come, so that your records can be amended before you arrive. Alternatively, on arrival at the clinic you can inform the receptionist who can amend your records.

If you would like to talk to a trained nurse before seeing the colposcopist, please inform the co-ordinator or receptionist.

Occasionally there are observers within the clinic, such as medical/ nursing students and practice nurses. If you do not want them to be present during your appointment, please tell the receptionist on arrival.

You will see a practitioner and there will be a nurse or health care assistant (HCA) who will support you during the procedure.

You will have a consultation where you will be asked relevant questions about your symptoms/ reason for referral. If relevant, you will be asked to give the date of the first day of your last period.

What happens during the examination?

You will lie on a special couch with your legs well supported. Depending on the reasons for your referral, a plastic vaginal speculum may be inserted into the vagina (similar to having a smear taken) to enable the practitioner to obtain a good view of your cervix/ vagina.

The colposcope (microscope on a stand) does not go inside you. You can watch the procedure, if you wish, on the TV screen that is by your side. You may have swabs taken to exclude the possibility of infection. A cervical sample (smear) may be taken if you are due one and possibly a small biopsy/removal of cervical polyp (removal of a very small piece of tissue) if indicated from the examination.

The practitioner will explain exactly what they are doing and discuss any procedures with you.

Depending on what procedure you have had (if any), you will be given aftercare advice and written information to take home with you. Although you are very unlikely to have anything seriously wrong with you, however if you feel anxious or worried, please ask to talk to a trained nurse about your procedure.

If we have taken a sample (biopsy), we will write to you with the result within 4 -6 weeks of your appointment.

If you have any queries before your appointment and would like to speak to the practitioner please ring 01223 216603, Monday to Friday 09:00 to 16:00. If you leave a message on the answer phone someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

Useful contact numbers

For appointments or queries:

Admin: 01223 216603

An answer phone is available during out-of-office hours and when the telephone is unmanned. If you use the answer phone, please leave your name, hospital number and any message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Nurse colposcopists: 01223 216603