The Donegal Women’s Centre in Letterkenny is inviting local women to contact them if they have concerns about CervicalCheck smear tests.
In light of the recent CervicalCheck controversy, the service centre has been on hand to answer queries and to provide free smear tests for women over 25 years old.
DWC Manager Mary Maguire has said the medical team are working to help women in a safe and reassuring way.
Mary said: “We have seen a huge increase in women looking for information around their smears and still continue to get an increase in the volume of calls to the clinic.”
Women over the age of 25 are now entitled to a free smear – just ensure that it is at least 3 months since your last smear test. Anyone under the age of 25 who wishes to have a smear, will continue to pay the fee of €50.00.
The centre is aiming to reach out to local women with three key messages:
- For women to go ahead with their scheduled smear
- If they are worried and would like to meet with one of our doctors, ring us and we will arrange a consultation. If following the consultation, it is recommended that you have a smear, the doctor will go ahead and do the smear.
- If they would like a repeat smear without a consultation, to contact us and we will give them an appointment.
Mary added: “Women can continue to ring CervicalCheck for more information on their smear history if they would prefer to do that. From discussions with clinic staff, the best reassurance is to talk to a GP either here or their own GP.
“We are doing our best to ensure that women are not waiting too long for an appointment and we can offer our listening and counselling service to women also.”
A team of trained listeners are on hand to provide a safe and confidential space for women to talk. This is a free service.
Donegal Women’s Centre, Port Road Letterkenny
To make an appointment or for more information, please contact the Donegal Women’s Centre on 074 9124985. Visit donegalwomenscentre.ie for more information about services.
The Donegal Women’s Centre opening hours are: Monday to Friday from 10.00am, closed from 1.00pm to 2.00pm for lunch.
Clinics are held on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings between 5.00pm and 8.00pm.
The number for the HSE CervicalCheck information phone line is 1800454555. Callbacks are arranged, with priority being made for women with specific clinical queries or a history of cervical cancer.