Bringing Cervical Screening Closer to Home: A Community Success Story Post Date : January 30, 2026 Healthcare , News 2 minutes read This Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, we are reflecting on the importance of making life-saving screenings accessible to everyone, regardless of where they live. The NHS 10-Year Plan highlights the need to shift care into community settings to better serve local populations, and our recent collaboration with GP Pathfinder Clinics shows exactly why this approach works. Tackling the Challenge Head-On In 2024, the cervical screening uptake for GP Pathfinder Clinics sat at approximately 22%. Recognising that this was far below the national average of 68% and even regional averages like North West London (60%), we launched a targeted project to bridge the gap. By using CHEC community hospitals in New Cross and Ilford to host clinics, we added vital capacity to the local healthcare system. The goal was simple but ambitious: bring the service to the patient and tackle health inequalities through integration. Results That Speak for Themselves By 30 July 2025, the results of this collaborative effort were remarkable. GP Pathfinder Clinics did not just meet the 30% conversion benchmark—they shattered it, supported by CHEC’s infrastructure designed to deliver care closer to home: CHEC New Cross – GP Pathfinder Clinics contacted 440 patients, resulting in 209 bookings. This 47.5% conversion rate is more than double the previous performance—a 115% increase over the previous year. CHEC Ilford – GP Pathfinder Clinics contacted 628 patients, leading to 243 bookings. The 38.7% conversion rate achieved here is over 70% higher than the NHS baseline. Why Community-Focused Care Matters The success of this initiative wasn’t just about extra clinic space; it was about proactive outreach. Muna Bulaleh of Mollison Way Surgery noted that the combination of SMS campaigns, proactive recall calls, and bringing services closer to the community made a measurable difference. “The NHS has committed to not letting spare capacity go to waste… delivering outcomes for patients is the most important thing. This initiative is a great example of how we can work in collaboration… to deliver real impact.” — Professor Des Breen, CHEC Chief Medical Officer Looking Forward We are committed to supporting the NHS and local communities, whether that be in supporting cervical screening initiatives, or providing our facilities for other activities. If you or your Trust are in need of assistance in any activity and would like to know more, click here (https://chec.uk/for-professionals/nhs-partnerships/) By working together, we can ensure that essential health services are accessible, helping more people get the care they need closer to home.