National Screening Services
The NHS National Screening programmes are designed to target health individuals with no current signs or symptoms. Screening aims to detect early signs of disease when prognosis is better.
If you worried or have any concerning symptoms, please make an appointment to see a GP rather than waiting for your screening invitation.
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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening (AAA)
The AAA screening programme began in 2009 and is targeted at individuals registered as a male with a GP Practice. AAA's are more common in men over the age of 65 than in women or younger men.
Patients should receive an invitation by post in the year of their 65th birthday. Your letter will say 'Doncaster/Bassetlaw' at the top with this logo
, but the programme still includes those from Sheffield. The test is a simple, pain-free ultrasound scan of the abdomen that usually takes 10 - 15 minutes.
- Trans women and non-binary people assigned male at birth, who are registered with the GP as female, are not routinely invited for AAA screening but can request this if they wish.
- Trans women and non-binary people assigned male at birth, who are registered with the GP as male, are invited for AAA screening.
- Trans men and non-binary people assigned female at birth, who are registered with the GP as female, are not invited for AAA screening.
- Trans men and non-binary people assigned female at birth, who are registered with the GP as male, are invited for AAA screening but do not have a high risk of AAA.
It is a South Yorkshire run service that visits local GP surgeries, however you may be invited to take part in this service at a GP practice other than your own.
Further information can be found at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-screening/
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Bowel Screening
Bowel screening is offered to people aged between 60 and 74 years old. The programme is expanding to make it available to everyone aged 50 to 59. Currently in Sheffield people are being called from the age of 56. After your first test, recalls are sent out every 2 years.
The screening is done by the use of a FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test) which is delivered as a home test kit through your postbox. These look similar to a COVID-19 testing kit. It involves collecting a small sample of poo which is then sent to a lab. This is checked for tiny amounts of blood. If the test finds anything unusual, you might be asked to go to hospital to have further tests to confirm or rule out cancer. Once you have done the test, this should be posted back to the labs using the address provided on the box using your nearest postbox.
If you are over 74 and wish to be tested, you can request a FIT test kit by calling 08007 076060.
An information leaflet on the service is available HERE
For information videos in multiple languages, please visit www.vimeo.com/showcase/6663813
For further information, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer-screening/
Breast Screening
Breast screening is offered to women aged 50 up to their 71st birthday (if you are over 70 and still wish to have screening, you are able to self-refer). You will receive your 1st invitation letter anytime between age 50 and your 53rd birthday. This will come from the National Breast Screening Programme inviting you to book an appointment.
Breast screening is performed by a procedure called Mammography. This involves taking two x-rays of each breast. In Sheffield, this is based at the Breast Screening Department at the Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2JF.
Many people at Dr Hakes & Partners will be invited from August 2023 onwards. Once you have had your first screening, you will be recalled every 3 years.
- Trans women and non-binary people assigned male at birth, who are registered with the GP as female, are invited for breast screening.
- Trans women and non-binary people assigned male at birth, who are registered with the GP as male, are not routinely invited for breast screening, but can request this.
- Trans men and non-binary people assigned female at birth, who are registered with the GP as female, are invited for breast screening.
- Trans men and non-binary people assigned female at birth, who are registered with the GP as male, are not routinely invited for breast screening, but can request this.
If you have not yet responded to your invite, please call 0114 271 1920 to book your appointment. If you have a learning disability and would like someone to come to your appointment with you, please let them know and they can arrange this for you.
For further information, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-screening-mammogram/
An information leaftet on the breast screening programme can be found HERE
An easy read guide can be found HERE
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Cervical Screening (Smear Test)
Cervical screening is available to people 25 - 64 years old who have a cervix. Initially you will receive a letter from the NHS Cervical Screening Programme (NHS CSP) inviting you to book an appointment at the surgery with one of our Practice Nursing team. If we haven't heard from you, after a few weeks, you may receive a further invite from the service or the Practice directly.
- Trans women and non-binary people assigned male at birth, who are registered with the GP as female, do not need cervical screening as they do not have a cervix.
- Trans women and non-binary people assigned male at birth, who are registered with the GP as male, do not need cervical screening as they do not have a cervix.
- Trans men and non-binary people assigned female at birth, who are registered with the GP as female, are invited for cervical screening.
- Trans men and non-binary people assigned female at birth, who are registered with the GP as male, are not routinely invited, but can request this.
Appointments usually last around 15 minutes. If you require a chaperone, or have any special requirements, please let us know and we will gladly accommodate this for you.
Patients with a normal result are recalled every 3 to 5 years, depending on your age.
If you are unsure or nervous about having a test, please book a routine face-to-face or telephone appointment with one of the Practice Nurses, and they be happy to answer any questions that you may have. Information and support can be found at:
Cervical screening: support for people who feel anxious about attending - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
If you would like to ask your Practice nurse for additional support, you can bring along the following tick list to help them identify your needs:
Cervical_screening_extra_support_checklist_120324.docx (live.com)
For further information, please click on any of the following links:
https://www.jostrust.org.uk/
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/cervical-screening-information-leaflets
Information in other languages can be viewed and downloaded HERE
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Diabetic Eye Screening
The main aim of the National Diabetic Eye Screening Programme is to help reduce the risk of sight loss amongst people with diabetes. The prompt identification of sight-threatening retinopathy, if detected early and treated effectively, can stop it getting worse.
Diabetic eye screening is offered annually, or in some cases every 2 years, to anyone with diabetes who is over the age of 12. Patients should receive a letter from the programme inviting them to book their appointment. For people who are newly diagnosed with diabetes, you will be referred onto the screening programme by your Practice Nurse within 3 months.
The eye screening appointment usually lasts around 30 minutes. You are advised not to drive to your appointment, as you will be given some eye drops which will affect your vision for a few hours, until it returns to normal. You and your GP will then receive your results directly within 6 weeks.
For more information, please see the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetic-eye-screening/
An information leaflet can be found HERE.
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Newborn Screening
When your baby is born they will be offered a series non-invasive screening tests;
- At 3 days old, your baby will be offered a physical examination and hearing test.
- At 5 days old your midwife will offer you’re a blood spot/heel prick test to screen for 9 rare but serious conditions including cystic fibrosis.
Once your baby is registered at the practice, please book in with the GP for an 8-week baby check. This will be a joint clinic with a practice nurse, who will give your baby their first immunisations.
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Pregnancy Screening
In pregnancy you will be offered several screening tests to check for the health conditions that could affect you or your baby.
- In the first 10 weeks you will be offered screening for sickle cell and thalassaemia. The baby’s father may also be offered testing for these.
- At 8-12 weeks the midwife will offer you blood tests for HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphillis. If you have diabetes, you will be offered eye screening as well.
- At 10-14 weeks you will be offered an ultra-sound scan and bloods to screen for certain syndromes.
- From 16 weeks you will be offered the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination. The best time to be vaccinated is between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy.
- At 18-21 weeks you will be offered another ultrasound scan to screen for 11 different physical conditions.
Trans men who are pregnant should be offered the same antenatal and newborn screening tests as all other pregnant individuals.
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Resources for Patients with Learning Disabilities
If you or a someone you care for has learning disabilities, here are some easy-to-read guides and videos to help you:
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Resources for Trans and Non-Binary People
A summary of the services available can be found HERE
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