Smear Test / Cervical Screening
A private cervical screening, still widely called a smear test, taken calmly and unhurried in our Kingston clinic. It uses HPV primary screening, testing your sample first for the high-risk HPV that causes almost all cervical cancers, with a GMC-registered doctor reviewing every result. Book on your own timing, without a referral and without a long wait.
By Dr Maryam Attarzadeh, GMC-registered doctor and Medical Director, KONCEPT® Medical Clinic. Last reviewed July 2026. Next review January 2027.
These are the worries that come up before almost every appointment. Here is the short version, with more detail further down.
Best to avoid the heaviest days, as blood can obscure the sample. Mid-cycle is ideal; light spotting is usually fine. If unsure, book and we will advise.
Most people find it uncomfortable rather than painful, and it is over in a few minutes. Tell the clinician if you feel anxious, small adjustments help.
Screening is usually postponed and done about 12 weeks after birth, unless a prior result means otherwise. Let us know and a doctor will advise.
Typically every 3 years (25 to 49) or 5 years (50 to 64), and longer if you are HPV negative. Privately, you can also test on your own timing.
Cervical screening changed in recent years. Instead of looking at cells first, the laboratory now tests the sample for high-risk HPV, because almost all cervical cancer starts with a persistent HPV infection. This picks up risk earlier and more reliably.
A soft brush collects cells from the cervix into liquid (liquid-based cytology). The sample goes to an accredited UK laboratory.
The lab tests for high-risk HPV types, including HPV 16 and 18. If no high-risk HPV is found, your risk is very low and no cell check is needed.
If high-risk HPV is present, the same sample is examined for cell changes, so you do not need a second appointment.
A GMC-registered doctor reviews the result and sends a short outcome note: no action, a repeat in a year, or a colposcopy referral where indicated.
High-risk HPV is a common virus that most people clear on their own. When it persists, it can slowly cause cell changes that, if left, may develop into cervical cancer over many years. Screening finds this early, long before cancer, which is what makes it so effective. HPV is also why the HPV vaccine and regular screening work best together.
of cervical cancers in the UK are caused by high-risk HPV.
of cervical cancer deaths are prevented by screening, and up to 83% if everyone attended.
of those invited do not attend, with around 5 million not up to date in England.
working days for most results to return, doctor-reviewed.
Sources: Cancer Research UK, cervical screening; NHS England. Figures are UK estimates, provided for context.
| Age | Usual NHS interval | When private screening helps |
|---|---|---|
| 25 to 49 | Every 3 years (longer if HPV negative on HPV screening). | You have missed or delayed an invitation, want reassurance sooner, prefer a calm private setting, or want to arrange it around work and travel. |
| 50 to 64 | Every 5 years. | |
| Under 25 or 65+ | Outside the routine programme in most cases. | A doctor can advise whether testing is appropriate for you. |
Screening is for people without symptoms. If you have unusual bleeding, bleeding after sex, or other new symptoms, see a doctor promptly rather than waiting for a routine test.
The price covers your appointment, the sample, accredited UK laboratory processing with HPV primary testing, doctor review and a secure outcome note.
| Service | What you get | Price (all-in) |
|---|---|---|
| Private Smear Test (HPV primary screening) | Cervical sample, high-risk HPV test with reflex cytology if needed, doctor-reviewed outcome note. | £245 |
If a follow-up is recommended, that is a separate step: your NHS GP at no NHS charge, an NHS colposcopy referral where indicated, or a KONCEPT® GP consultation at £149 to talk the result through.
The NHS Cervical Screening Programme is comprehensive and free, and remains the right route for most people. A private smear does not replace it, it adds choice: screening on your own timing, in a calm setting, if you have missed an invitation, want reassurance sooner, or would simply prefer to arrange it discreetly. With your written consent we can share a clinical summary with your NHS GP, and where a colposcopy is indicated we refer you into NHS services.
KONCEPT® Medical Clinic offers doctor-reviewed private cervical screening for patients across the KT and SW postcodes without a GP referral. People book from Kingston upon Thames, Surbiton, New Malden, Wimbledon, Richmond, Putney, Teddington, Hampton, Esher and Twickenham. The clinic is at 46 to 48 Wood Street, opposite Kingston Station.
It suits anyone searching for a private smear test, private cervical screening, an HPV test, a cervical screening test, or a smear test near me in Kingston, Surrey or South West London. Book online or call 020 8129 1011.
Cervical screening sits alongside our wider women’s and sexual health care. The HPV vaccine and screening protect against cervical cancer in different ways, and sexual health testing is often arranged at the same visit.
It is best to avoid a smear test during your period, as heavy bleeding can make the sample harder to read. The ideal time is mid-cycle, roughly in the middle between two periods. Light spotting is usually fine. If you are unsure, book anyway and our team will advise on timing.
Under the NHS programme, screening is offered every 3 years from age 25 to 49 and every 5 years from 50 to 64, and with HPV primary screening the interval can be longer if you are HPV negative. Privately you can also test on your own timing, for example if you have missed an invitation, want reassurance sooner, or prefer to arrange it discreetly.
A smear test, or cervical screening, takes a small sample of cells from the cervix. In modern HPV primary screening the sample is first tested for high-risk HPV, the virus that causes almost all cervical cancers. If high-risk HPV is found, the same sample is examined for cell changes (cytology). It checks for early changes, not for cancer itself.
Cervical screening is usually postponed during pregnancy and is generally done about 12 weeks after birth, unless a previous result means it should not wait. If you are pregnant or recently gave birth, let us know and a doctor will advise on the right timing for you.
Most people find a smear test uncomfortable rather than painful, and it is over quickly, usually within a few minutes. Telling the clinician if you feel anxious or have found it difficult before helps, as small adjustments can make it more comfortable.
Most results are back within 2 to 5 working days. A GMC-registered doctor reviews the result and sends a short outcome note securely to your email, explaining whether no action is needed or a follow-up such as a repeat test or colposcopy is recommended.
It is sensible to avoid vaginal sex, lubricants, spermicides and vaginal medicines for about 24 hours before a smear, as these can affect the sample. If that is not possible, still attend, and mention it to the clinician.
A private smear test with HPV primary screening is £245 all-in, a single all-inclusive price that covers your whole visit. If a detailed discussion or referral is needed afterwards, that is a separate step: your NHS GP at no NHS charge, an NHS colposcopy referral where indicated, or a KONCEPT® GP consultation at £149.
Genuine reviews from patients at KONCEPT®, drawn from our Google Business Profile and verified-patient reviews.
“Everyone was really nice and welcoming, and made me feel at ease straight away. It was quick, professional and I did not feel rushed. Would definitely recommend.”
“Such a smooth and pleasant experience and I received my results back quickly. A super quick turnover time which is just what I needed.”
“As a Kingston local it is great to have the clinic in easy reach. Really impressed by how straightforward and calm the whole visit was.”
Genuine reviews from our Google Business Profile and verified-patient reviews. Individual experiences vary. Read more reviews on Google ›
A private smear test with HPV primary screening, £245 all-in, a single all-inclusive price per visit. Calm, unhurried and discreet, with a doctor-reviewed result in 2 to 5 working days. Same-day, evening and Saturday appointments available. No GP referral needed.
Serving Kingston upon Thames and the surrounding KT, SW and TW catchment, including Surbiton, Wimbledon, Richmond, Putney, Teddington, New Malden, Esher and Twickenham.
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Cervical screening checks for high-risk HPV and cervical cell changes in people without symptoms; it does not diagnose cancer on its own. Anyone with unusual or persistent bleeding, or bleeding after sex, should see a doctor promptly rather than waiting for routine screening.