Cervical Screening Tips for women with learning disabilities and / or autistic women

These videos are part of a series co-produced by women with learning disabilities and / or autistic women to support women with learning disabilities and / or autistic women and their carers attending Cervical Screening appointments. 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8At_JsPt7YuRrUP9acT9JCjhTQ0-OiXB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGiumR4PDV0

TIPS

• Make sure you know how to get to your appointment and how long it will take to get there. This is so you do not feel rushed when you arrive.

• Make sure you know how long you will be there so you can plan your journey home.

• Ask someone to go with you if you feel this will help you feel more relaxed. 

• Not everyone has a health passport. If you have one take it with you. This helps the nurse if you have needs that she needs to think about. If you do not have a health passport just tell the nurse if you have needs that she needs to think about.

• Take items with you to help; we take sunglasses to help with the bright light, we also take headphones that play music to help us relax and sometimes take a fidget toy to play with to take our minds off having the test. Some of us also bring a comforter like a soft toy or blanket to help us feel comfortable. We are all different and it is up to you what you take.

• We also take a drink with us, water is fine if you feel thirsty afterwards.

• Make sure you put everything in your bag the night before so you are not rushing before your appointment.

• You can ask the nurse if there is anything about the test you feel unsure about. Or you want to see the equipment before the appointment. You can have an appointment at the surgery just to talk, look at the equipment, or you can just talk on the telephone if you prefer.

Published on 8 August 2025