The role of the health visitor in the uptake of cervical smear testing.

This article discusses one of the dilemmas health visitors have in promoting the uptake of cervical smear testing. Should health visitors carry out the procedure in the home? In some areas of the country, following many campaigns and efforts the uptake of smear tests remains low whereas in other areas where women are well informed and educated, the uptake is much better. The aim of this article is to give an overview on what has been tried before as well as to discuss the contentious issue of what role the health visitors have in this area of practice.