§ 23. Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will extend payment to doctors for annual cervical cancer screening for women in the 25 to 35 years age group.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe general medical services for which GPs are remunerated out of the generality of their fees and allowances already include the screening of all women of any age who are at risk.
GPs receive an item of service payment for screening women aged 35 and over as an incentive to them to persuade this age group to have regular smears, because 94 per cent. of deaths from cervical cancer occur in these women, who are generally less likely than younger women to come forward for screening of their own accord.