Breaking down barriers to life saving screenings

Why were people not taking up lifesaving screenings?

The number of people going for cervical cancer screenings was low in Bolton compared nationally, with screening rates falling year after year. Healthwatch Bolton found that issues like inconvenient appointments and embarrassment stopped people from taking up these lifesaving screenings.

Uptake was particularly low amongst women from Rumworth's ethnically diverse communities due to religious and cultural reasons.

Healthwatch Bolton established the Rumworth Project with professionals from Rumworth's Primary Care Network, Bolton GP Federation and Answer Cancer to look at breaking down barriers to screening. 

To break down these barriers to access, The Rumworth Project hosted outreach and engagement sessions, speaking to people in the community in the spaces where they felt comfortable.

Creating community connections

The Rumworth Project used community spaces for outreach and engagement sessions. Bolton Council of Mosques was one of these spaces, and they were keen to host walk-in clinics, as 12% of Bolton's community are members of the Muslim faith.  

By establishing connections in community spaces, The Rumworth Project created an environment where women felt comfortable enough to use the services offered and speak with health professionals. One woman said;

Making a difference

According to Cancer Research, 99.8% of cervical cancer cases are preventable where screenings occur, which is why this work is vital.  

Women from Rumworth's ethnically diverse community explained they were "Afraid of people in the community talking", were unsure of what a smear test entailed and were "scared of pain". However, the convenience of the community clinics and the "friendly staff" helped address these concerns. 

Moving forward

Hosting outreach clinics in community spaces where people could drop in for treatment or a simple conversation provided invaluable insight into the needs of a community and what they want from their healthcare providers. 

In just two of these sessions, the project saw twenty-two patients where conversations addressing healthcare concerns and alleviating nervousness around cancer screenings took place, along with ten smear tests, seven blood pressure checks and two Covid-19 boosters. 

Bolton GP Federation intends to implement The Rumworth Project model Bolton-wide, creating bespoke, community-based clinics with support from Healthwatch Bolton to ensure everyone can access the health care they need to stay well.