Introduction Bolton PCT commissioned Bolton Community Network to carry out a consultation with BME women in Bolton about cervical screening. The aims of the project were: • To devise and carry out interactive consultations on cervical screening with a total of 225 BME women within a 1 mile radius of surgeries in the following postcodes: BL3 3QB
BL3 5HP
BL3 5DL
BL3 2EG
BL4 7JW
BL3 1JF
BL3 6RN
BL3 2JR
BL3 4LU
• To identify and map groups of BME women in each of these postcode areas. • To identify any barriers and reasons why BME women do not attend cervical screening tests. • To explore any barriers and issues women may face in the screening process. • To disseminate information and raise awareness about the screening process from the actual procedure to the return of the test results. • To raise awareness about the benefits of cervical screening tests and to encourage more women to attend them. • To record data and comments from the consultations that could help improve the screening service and enable health professionals understand any barriers that prevent women attending cervical screening appointments. 1