Cervical screening is crucial for preventing cervical cancer, yet uptake rates in parts of the South East remain below the NHS target of 80%.

This resource is designed to assist healthcare professionals and practice managers in addressing barriers to cervical screening uptake, particularly among 25-29-year-olds where uptake is low.

It explores factors influencing eligible individuals and provides actionable steps to engage and support them in accessing screening. It also supports you to take advantage of the opportunities offered by a new campaign, Love Your Cervix, launching on Thursday 19 June 2025.

It has been designed as an online resource, enabling you to access the sections that you and your colleagues will find most relevant.

This resource includes the following:

Barriers and influencing factors

An overview of demographic profiles and specific barriers which inhibit 25-29-year-olds’ engagement with cervical screening. Patient-related factors include cultural, linguistic, and accessibility challenges. System-related barriers encompass healthcare accessibility and capacity issues. These barriers vary across different groups or communities and, by understanding and responding to them, it can help to influence participation rates.

Engagement strategies

Tailored approaches are essential to reach diverse populations within the 25-29-year-old age group, including those from varied backgrounds, survivors of assault, individuals with disabilities, and those from LGBTQIA+ communities. This resource provides tailored strategies to help engage these people effectively, address their unique needs and overcome barriers to enable more equitable access to cervical screening services.

Practical interventions

This resource presents a range of strategies to improve access and uptake among 25-29-year-olds, such as innovative appointment systems, extended clinic hours, personalised invitations, online booking options, and community-based screening initiatives. These interventions aim to make screening more convenient and appealing. Some of these strategies may also benefit a broader audience.

Resources

This resource provides a range of downloadable materials to support healthcare providers in promoting screening effectively within their communities. This includes posters, flyers, social media assets, frequently asked questions for 25-29-year-olds, and links to further patient information to support take up of cervical screening among women in that age group.

Return to: Resource for GP surgeries and healthcare providers