An assessment of smear taker training in the Northern & Yorkshire cervical screening programme.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of a regional smear taker training scheme within the Northern and Yorkshire Cervical Screening Programme.

DESIGN

An analysis of cervical screening KC activity returns to the Department of Health before and after the introduction of a structured training programme for smear takers.

SETTING

Northern and Yorkshire Region of England.

SUBJECTS

Women participating in cervical screening.

RESULTS

The introduction of a region-wide smear taker training programme has resulted in fewer inadequate cervical smears, fewer opportunistic smears and fewer women aged below 20 having cervical smears. The training programme is cost effective.

CONCLUSIONS

It is recommended that all cervical screening programmes consider the introduction of smear taker training. It is a cost-effective approach to running the cervical screening programme.