§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what written guidance has been issued by his Department on the proper completion of a cervical smear report record; whether the report card requires the reporting of the visual appearance of the cervix; and if it is his policy that reporting of the visual appearance of the cervix should take place. [1656]
§ Ms JowellThe cervical cytology request form does not require smear takers to describe the visual appearance of the cervix in all cases. It is recommended that visibility of the cervix and a description be recorded in the woman's medical notes. The condition of the cervix should, however, be included on a request form where there is a suspected abnormality.
The importance of visual inspection of the cervix is emphasised in the British Society for Clinical Cytology's training video and booklet for smear-takers "Taking Cervical Smears" which was promulgated to the National Health Service under cover of EL(94)33. Copies of both these documents are available in the Library.