Faster test results

THERE has been a dramatic cut in the length of time Oldham women wait for the results of cervical smear tests.

Women now get their results in an average of six days, compared with 29 days 12 months ago, and virtually all results are received within 14 days.

The Royal Oldham Hospital teamed up with three primary care trusts, including NHS Oldham, as one of 10 pilot sites across the country to test a speeded up service.

The average six days covers the period between smear tests being taken at GP surgeries, tested in the hospital’s cytology department and results posted to women.

Last year, Pennine Acute Trust, which runs the Royal Oldham and hospitals in Bury, Rochdale and North Manchester, dealt with around 45,000 samples.

Len Fielding, pathology directorate manager for the trust, said: “Using new techniques and looking at the entire process has allowed us to improve the service, reducing the anxiety patients face waiting for the results of pathology tests.

“This has been an excellent example of what can be achieved when teams work together to produce real benefits for patients.”

The team is still working to improve the service by looking in detail at cases which are delayed, and introducing a system which allows GPs to request a test electronically.