Around 17,500 women in the Southern Trust received letters in October, informing them that their smear tests would be rechecked as part of a review dating back to 2008.
Approximately 4,000 of these women would be recalled for new tests. This review was initiated due to significant issues identified in the screening process within the trust.
The clinics, which will operate in the evenings Monday to Thursday and all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, aim to provide repeat smear tests to women whose previous test slides are unavailable, either because the initial test took place more than a decade ago or because the slide is damaged or unavailable.
The Southern Health Trust has also initiated a review of 350 cervical smear slides that were prioritized. The review, originally scheduled for November, was delayed after the Belfast Trust, responsible for checking all the slides, had its cervical cytology service accreditation suspended. The Belfast Trust is appealing this decision.
The Southern Health Trust plans to open similar clinics in other locations within the trust, such as Daisy Hill Hospital, which will run for approximately three months. The trust is actively contacting affected women by phone, and those who attend the clinics can expect to receive their test results within six weeks.
The trust apologized for any concerns caused by the ongoing review and assured that the smear clinics would be staffed by nurses with specialist experience in performing smear tests. Additionally, liaison staff would be available to provide support to women who may require it.
Women with concerns are encouraged to contact the trust's cervical review information helpline or access their website for further information.