Video campaign from Wisbech GPs aims to increase uptake in childhood jabs and women's smear tests

Doctors across one Fenland town have launched an innovative series of videos aimed at encouraging better uptake of childhood jabs and cervical smear testing.

The four Wisbech surgeries: Clarkson Surgery, North Brink Practice, Trinity Surgery and Parson Drove Surgery are working collaboratively as Wisbech Primary Care Network (PCN) on different initiatives to address the health needs of the town.

Their current campaign aims to see more children having their routine immunisations with up to 30% of eligible youngsters currently either due part or all of their childhood vaccinations.

The PCN also wants to see more women coming forward for their potentially life-saving cervical screening tests. Over half (58%) the women who are due a smear test have not yet had it.

This is despite letters being sent out inviting parents and patients to book in for these two vital services.

The PCN has now produced two videos outlining the benefits of both cervical screening and childhood vaccinations which can be accessed at https://wisbechpcn.co.uk/ in a bid to encourage more people to come forward.

The PCN is working with the Collage of West Anglia to translate the videos into seven different languages for those patients and parents who don't have English as their first language.

The videos offer reassurance and explain the importance of vaccinations with the over riding message they are the safest way to protect our children, families and community against preventable disease.

The risk of non-immunisation is increasing and the UK has already lost its measles free status with significant case numbers being recorded as a result of low vaccination uptake.

Parents naturally worry about the side effects of jabs but most are very mild and can be easily treated at home.

They also worry about giving their children multiple vaccines at once but the video explains the schedule is designed for vaccinations to be given together or at set intervals to avoid leaving children at risk of catching vaccine preventable diseases, such as measles.

Parents worried about having their children immunised and want to find out more can visit the NHS or the World Health Organisation websites. They can also talk to their health visitor or practice nurse.

When it comes to cervical screening anyone with a cervix aged between 25 and 64, who is registered at a GP practice will be invited to have a test. For those aged 25 to 50 tests are every three years and from 50 to 64 this changes to every five years.

Cervical screening is done at your GP surgery by a practice nurse.

The test usually takes a few minutes. It is not testing for cancer, but instead is looking for traces of HPV the human papilloma virus. If this virus is detected your sample will then be screened for any abnormal cells, which if left untreated may turn into cancer.

For more information on HPV and cervical screening visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/