Health services pulse

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 397, 30 July 1991, Page 13

Health services pulse

by

Denis

• Dwyer,

MWAHB

The cervical screening programme of the Manawatu-Wanganui Area Health Board is now in place throughout the whole region of the Board. The programme was run originally as a pilot programme in the Wanganui district. Elizabeth Ponter, the programme manager for the cervical screening register, encourages all women to enrol on the register from now on by seeing their general practitioner, Family Planning or their nurse smear taker. Elizabeth explains that the purpose of the register is really twofold: firstly, women on the register have the advantage of automatic notification when they are due for their next smear test and the register ensures as far as possible that women are notified of abnormalities and are offered ap-

propriate treatment. For those doctors who have notification recall system, this system of the programme will act as backup. Secondly, registration allows information to be compiled nationally that enables sub-groups of the population who are not having smear tests to be identified and encouraged to participate in the programme. Efforts can then be made to direct information/education programmes at these subgroups so that they receive the smear test. Elizabeth says that cancer of the cervix is largely preventable. Cervical screening provides an opportunity to detect and treat abnormal cells before a cancer develops. The programme is for all women. Three population groups currently that have low screening rates are women over 35, Maori women and Pacific Island women. These are

priority groups for the programme. Elizabeth explains that while there is a fairly comprehensive screening programme in New Zealand, some women are not being reached through conventional channels, so the Board is supporting some community initiatives. Elizabeth sees these community- based services as complementary to those offered by general practitioners. Two training courses have been run for nurse smear takers, some of whom will be working in the community and some with general practitioners. From now on the cervical screening programme will emphasise promotion and education. The reduction of cervical cancer is one of the 10 National Health Goals, and is one of the top four priorities of the Manawatu-Area Health Board this year.