An assessment of smear taker training in the Northern & Yorkshire cervical screening programme.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of a regional smear taker training scheme within the Northern and Yorkshire Cervical Screening Programme.


METHODS
An analysis of cervical screening KC activity returns to the Department of Health before and after the introduction of a structured training programme for smear takers.


METHODS
Northern and Yorkshire Region of England.


METHODS
Women participating in cervical screening.


RESULTS
The introduction of a region-wide smear taker training programme has resulted in fewer inadequate cervical smears, fewer opportunistic smears and fewer women aged below 20 having cervical smears. The training programme is cost effective.


CONCLUSIONS
It is recommended that all cervical screening programmes consider the introduction of smear taker training. It is a cost-effective approach to running the cervical screening programme.
Faulkner
Keith
K
Quality Assurance Reference Centre, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. keith.faulkner@newcastle-pct.nhs.uk
Greenwood
Lesley
L
Stamp
Elaine
E
D000328:Adult; D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D004496:Education, Continuing; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data