We are all aware that the third wave of COVID-19 is causing unprecedented levels of the virus within our community. For the moment, Government and Public Health advice is that we greatly restrict our movements and limit the people with whom we interact, in order to supress the virus and sustain our essential services.
CervicalCheck understands the pressure this news places on general practice and community-based clinics. We offer our support to clinics making individual decisions about the level of screening that is safe for them to provide at this time, as they adhere to government guidelines and Public Health advice re the spread of COVID-19.
We are aware that, as a result, GP practices and community clinics may not be able to offer cervical screening appointments, or may be operating at reduced capacity, in the short-term.
We are therefore advising participants who are booked for screening that their sampletaker may reschedule their January appointment, and that their new test date may be some weeks away.
We are advising those seeking to book appointments that they may not be able to do so at this time. We are asking them to keep in contact with their GP or clinic and rebook as soon as they can.
We will continue to keep in touch with you about screening, and to offer advice in line with HSE and NPHET recommendations. We will update our website with any changes to screening that your patients should know, and offer them the option of contacting us for further advice.
We continue to ask that people do not attend their appointment if they are unwell or self-isolating because they have symptoms of COVID-19. People should not attend either if they are a confirmed close contact of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus.
The safety of our participants and all those involved in their care continues to be our highest priority at this time. Cervical screening is for well people who do not have symptoms. Anyone who is worried about symptoms at any time is advised to contact their GP immediately, for appropriate follow-up care.
For further information participants can see www.hse.ie/cervicalcheck or Freephone 1800 45 45 55.