Experiences of Cervical Screening in Derbyshire and Derby City

Between February and April 2025, we heard from almost 300 people across Derbyshire and Derby City about their experiences of cervical screening.

We wanted to understand what encourages people to attend, the challenges they face, and how the process could be made easier and more comfortable. The aim was to ensure local services listen to feedback and make changes that support more people to take up this important test.

We worked with Healthwatch Derby and the Joined-Up Care Derbyshire Cancer Prevention Group to design and promote an online survey. We also carried out follow-up interviews with people who had related health conditions, such as menopause, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and other long-term conditions, to explore their experiences in more detail.

Key findings

• Most people attend their screening when invited – 80% told us they had attended their most recent cervical screening appointment
• Booking can be a barrier – some people found it difficult to get appointments that fit around work and personal commitments, with limited evening and weekend availability
• Positive staff experiences matter – those who described staff as compassionate, calming and communicative were more likely to have a positive experience
• Information gaps remain – some people wanted more detail before the appointment, such as what the procedure involves, options for comfort, and clear explanations of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Adjustments make a difference – knowing they can request smaller speculums, different positions, or have a chaperone would help many feel more comfortable
• Linked health conditions can impact access – people with menopause, PCOS or other health conditions said they would like more understanding and flexibility from staff when booking and attending.

What happens next?

We have shared these findings with NHS Derby & Derbyshire Integrated Care Board, NHS England, Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council.

This work is part of our wider commitment to ensuring that people’s voices directly influence how health and care services are designed and delivered.