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About cervical screening - Your cervical screening invitation

Who is screened?

Women and people with a cervix aged 25-64 are screened every five years. 

If you are 65 or over and have never had a cervical screening (smear) test, then you can ask to have one.

People who are transgender or non-binary may be invited for cervical screening. For more information read our information for people who are transgender and non-binary.

It is important that you speak to your doctor if you notice any symptoms. Do not wait for your cervical screening appointment. 

How will I be invited?

Cervical Screening Wales is responsible for the NHS cervical screening programme in Wales, including sending invitations.  We get your contact details from your doctor’s list, so it is important that your doctor has your correct name and address.

Cervical Screening Wales will send you a letter in the post to book an appointment at your doctor’s surgery, local family planning clinic, or sexual health clinic.

If you are not registered with a doctor, contact us to check if you can have cervical screening. Let us know if you are moving, as you will need to complete a change of address form.

Some people may be invited for screening who do not need it. Contact us to let us know so we can stop sending you invitations.

If you are transgender or non-binary and are registered with your doctor as male and have a cervix, you will not be invited but it is important that you are screened. Contact us or your doctor, so you can be invited.

 Are there any exceptions?

  • Individuals who need follow-up after cell changes are often invited more frequently. This includes those under the age of 25 with high-grade cell changes.  
  • Individuals with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are advised to be screened every year until the age of 65 as they may find it harder to get rid of HPV.

What if I did not respond to my invitation?

Information:

Public Health Wales is contacting people who have not attended their cervical screening appointment. We want to:

  • understand why some people are not taking up their cervical screening invitation
  • offer support to people who are overdue; and
  • help people to arrange an appointment, if needed.

This information will help us improve the screening service we offer.

If your doctor’s surgery is taking part, people who have not attended for cervical screening will be contacted from this phone number: 02920 537280. You can contact us on 01792 940 940 to check if the call was made by Public Health Wales or get help to arrange their screening appointment.

What if I need extra support?

Understanding the information

If you, or a person you support needs help to understand or read the information sent, please contact us. We can provide you with information in different formats. For more information you may want to visit our Easy Read, BSL, Audio and Video pages.

Going for my appointment

If you, or a person you support needs extra help going for screening, contact your doctor’s surgery or clinic before your appointment if you:

  • Need an interpreter, because Welsh or English is not your first language.
  • Have a disability, so the doctor’s surgery or clinic can offer you an accessible appointment.
  • Use an assistance dog.
  • Need a carer to come with you.
  • Are caring for someone who cannot make decisions.
  • Have Power of Attorney for health and welfare for the person invited. You would need to bring ID and the Power of Attorney document to their appointment.

Travelling to my appointment

If you think you are eligible for help travelling to your appointment, you can contact Patient Transport Services at your local hospital. They may be able to help you.

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme

As the cost of living is affecting many of us, it is important to know what help is available from the NHS.

While financial support for attending routine screening appointments is not provided under the Department of Health rules, some people who need to come back for further tests may be eligible for financial support.

The NHS ‘Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme’ (HTCS) sets out clear guidance to people about when financial help can be provided. The scheme has a strict eligibility criteria. For those who are eligible, the scheme supports the cost of travelling to hospital or other NHS premises for NHS funded treatment or diagnostic tests.

To check if you are eligible for financial support, visit the NHS ‘Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme’ (HTCS) web pages for more information or contact us, if you have any further questions.

Page last reviewed: 13th February 2026