To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Childcare Providers Offering Free Care For Women Attending Smear Tests

Childcare Providers Offering Free Care For Women Attending Smear Tests

"If we can offer an hour, it can save a life."

Emma Rosemurgey

Emma Rosemurgey

Childcare providers up and down the country are offering free childcare to mums attending their cervical screening.

This comes after Public Health England launched its campaign to encourage more women to attend their smear tests after it was revealed take-up rates were at their lowest for 20 years.

One of the dozens of providers offering a free hour's care, say: "A child needs their mummy."

Childminder Andrea Booth added: "If we can offer an hour, it can save a life."

Angela Greasley, who owns Whitehaven Tot Spot play centre in Cumbria, decided to start offering free care in October.

Pexels

"Childcare is often an issue or an excuse," she said. "I put my own test off three times."

She added that about a dozen women have taken her up on her offer since then, "but it's not enough."

Another childminder posted on social media: "Smear test screenings are at an all time low, for whatever reason women are choosing not to go.

"Yes it's not pleasant, it's uncomfortable, undignified but hey, so is cancer and all its symptoms."

She then offered an hour's free care "so that all you mums out there can go and get it done."

Childcare providers have been praised for doing their bit in ultimately trying to save women's lives.

Chief executive of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years, Liz Bayram, said: "Childminders should be applauded for their pro-activity in offering a service where the ultimate aim is to save lives."

Public Health England

Earlier this month, the first ever TV advert encouraging women to go for their smear test aired on TV, after ministers warned that too many women were needlessly dying with one-in-five women putting off their checks.

The 30-second ad's aim is to urge women who attend their smear, or visit their GP if they missed their last check.

Featured Image Credit: Public Health England

Topics: Smear Test, Life News, News, Real, Health