Background
In 2024, Healthwatch England asked us to interview women in Redbridge about their experiences as part of an investigation into declining cervical screening rates.
We spoke to local women about their hesitancy to attend screenings, their experiences at screenings and the impact on their health.
We heard how appointment letters were inaccessible, how poor communication about the procedure from services led to fear and uncertainty for women with learning disabilities and how misconceptions prevented women from different communities across Redbridge from attending.
Listening to the women of Redbridge
We realised that much more needed to be done to ensure women's voices were heard and barriers to accessing health and social care services were addressed. We devised a 3 part project, starting by extending our work on cervical screening to hear from more women from more communities, followed by work on breast screening and perimenopause and menopause.
We attended community events, local clinics, children's centres and places of worship to speak to women from communities across Redbridge. We delivered information sessions and asked you to share your story.
The response was phenomenal. We heard from women across the borough, who spoke up about their experiences, telling us about barriers that ranged from inaccessible facilities, to poor information provision, to misconceptions, to stereotypes and assumptions made by service providers.
It is clear to us that addressing these barriers will require system wide change, and co-operation from service providers and community organisations across Redbridge, at all levels.
The Impact
The initial research we shared with Healthwatch England helped shape NHS plans to reduce cervical cancer. Key recommendations Healthwatch made have been adopted by the NHS; including a commitment to raising awareness of HPV, introducing self-sampling and ensuring staff receive sufficient training to provide sensitive and personal, trauma-informed care.
The research project was carried out in 3 phases over 2024 – 2025:
- Phase 1: Cervical Screening
- Phase 2: Breast Screening
- Phase 3: Perimenopause and Menopause
Cervical Screening
Attending intimate examinations like a cervical screening can be a daunting prospect. Putting comfort, understanding, and accessibility first can help build trust and confidence in women who put off attending out of feelings of embarrassment, discomfort or unease.