Wokingham Borough Council has launched a new initiative to increase smear-test uptake across the borough, with half-a-dozen childminders enlisted to help local mums find time for this important health check.
According to Cancer Research UK one barrier that women face is not having time to attend a cervical screening appointment, with recent research revealing less than three-quarters of women invited for cervical screening take it up .
In addition, a recent report by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust also details difficulties with childcare as an obstacle mother’s experience in attending appointments .
To tackle this problem the Council has identified six local childminders who will offer one-hour free childcare.
“We hope that this new initiative helps hundreds of mum’s across the borough in attending their cervical screening appointments,” said Cllr Charles Margetts, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services
“It’s extremely important to remove barriers that local mother’s might face. We’re proud to be working in partnership with childminders to promote this free childminding service.”
Local women who wish to locate their nearest participating childminder are asked to simply email: earlyyears@wokingham.gov.uk. They will then be connected directly.
