By Dr Rachael Comer, Education and Training Manager, CervicalCheck Screening Training Unit
CervicalCheck provides free HPV cervical screening for women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 65.
We want every woman to feel safe, respected and in control when she comes for screening.
We understand that if a woman has experienced trauma in her life - whether recently or in the past - the idea of going for a cervical screening test can feel overwhelming. That’s why we are embedding a trauma-informed approach to care within our CervicalCheck education programme.
Supporting our sample takers through education
We support all our registered sample takers to provide trauma-informed care and to create an environment where women feel safe to come for screening.
We provide ongoing access to education and training to further enhance sample takers’ ability to recognise trauma, respond to it, and continue to approach every screening appointment with sensitivity and respect.
Sample takers are enabled to strengthen their abilities to:
- understand the impact of trauma, recognise the signs and respond with empathy
- respect boundaries and take time to build trust and explain each step clearly
- prioritise safety, control and choice by maintaining ongoing consent during the appointment
- pay attention to how a woman is feeling and help reduce fear and anxiety
- be flexible, improve comfort and adapt to meet women’s needs at their appointment
- avoid re-traumatisation through the use of best-practice principles that focus on safety, trust, choice, collaboration and empowerment
- support women who may have previously felt unable to come for screening, to take part.
We’ve developed an eLearning clinical update on trauma-informed cervical screening. This helps sample takers to strengthen their understanding and confidence in providing compassionate, trauma-informed care.
What women affected by trauma should know
Firstly, your experience matters and sample takers are here to support you.
You do not have to share your trauma history to be treated with care and respect. But if you do choose to share it, sample takers are trained to respond with empathy and will work with you to find a way that feels most comfortable.
You’re in control, always.
You can:
- choose the pace of your cervical screening
- change your position for your screening to make it more comfortable for you
- decide if you want to pause or stop during your appointment
- bring someone you trust with you to your appointment
- reschedule your appointment if you don’t feel ready on the day.
You also do not need to go to your own GP for cervical screening. There are over 6,000 doctors and nurse who are registered as sample takers with CervicalCheck. You can choose to have your cervical screening at any GP or health clinic with a registered sample taker.
Referral to specialised clinics
If you find screening too difficult in a GP surgery, referral to a specialised cervical screening clinic may help.
We have trained sample takers in three Sexual Assault Treatment Units (SATUs) in Ireland that provide free cervical screening:
- Donegal SATU
- Dublin (Rotunda) SATU
- Waterford SATU.
These clinics are located in calm, private settings. Staff are specially trained in trauma-informed care.
If you think this kind of setting might be right for you, you can refer yourself there for cervical screening or talk to your GP – they can help you access it.
If you’re due your cervical screening and are feeling unsure, it’s okay to take your time. Talk it through with someone you trust. Talk to your GP or general practice nurse and let them know what might help you feel safe and supported.
And when you’re ready, they’ll be there.
Trauma can result from any situation where someone felt scared, unsafe, powerless or disrespected, such as sexual assault or abuse, painful medical procedures or other distressing events. If you are affected by trauma, here are some national organisations that can help: