Private cervical smears, your way.
A confidential 30-minute appointment with a qualified female GP or female specialist nurse — available at every Duality clinic, on your timeline.
Same trusted laboratory testing as the NHS — HPV-first cytology — with results in around three weeks and discounted GP follow-up if you need to talk things through.
£160 · 30-minute appointment Female clinician · evenings & weekends- Female GP or specialist nurse
- HPV-first testing
- Available at every clinic
How to book
Three simple steps.
Smear tests at Duality are straightforward, dignified and on your schedule — no referral needed.
Book online
Choose a time at any of our clinics — including evenings and weekends. No GP referral required.
30-min appointment
You'll be looked after by a qualified female GP or female specialist nurse — calm, private, with as much time as you need.
Results in 3 weeks
Sample is tested for HPV first, then for cytology if needed. Results emailed securely. Discounted GP follow-up if you'd like to discuss.
Your body, your choice
Why have a private smear?
The UK cervical screening programme invites women every 3 years from age 25 to 49 and every 5 years from 50 to 64. Across much of Europe, smears are recommended annually from age 20 to 34 — particularly if you're sexually active, because of the well-documented link between HPV and cervical cancer.
You might want to consider more frequent smears if you're sexually active and want to monitor cervical health closely, if you've had HPV or pre-cancerous changes in the past, or if you'd like to continue having smears beyond the age of 64.
Book your smearWhen to consider one
Reasons people choose to book.
A smear isn't just about meeting an NHS interval — it's about staying informed about your own cervical health.
You're sexually active
HPV is contracted through penetrative sexual activity — annual smears can help you stay on top of your cervical health.
You've had HPV or abnormal cells before
More frequent screening is often a sensible choice if you have a history of HPV infection or pre-cancerous changes.
You're over 64 and still want screening
NHS screening stops at 64, but if you'd like to continue, you can — book a smear privately at any age.
You want to be seen sooner
If your next NHS smear is a long way off and you'd rather not wait, you can book a private smear today.
Confidential cervical smear
30-minute appointment · female clinician · HPV-first testing · written report
FAQs
Frequently asked questions.
When should I avoid booking a smear?
It's best to book between periods. A smear can't be taken if you're menstruating or if you've used a pessary recently (for example to treat thrush). If you've had a smear in the last 12 weeks, we'd ask you to wait beyond that window before repeating — too soon and the result can be unreliable.
What happens during the appointment?
You'll be asked to disrobe from the waist down and lie on the examination couch. Your clinician will gently insert a speculum to see the cervix, then rotate a small brush at the opening to collect a sample of cells. The sample goes into a collection tube and is sent to the lab.
It shouldn't be painful — it can feel uncomfortable and very occasionally cause a small amount of spotting afterwards. The whole appointment is 30 minutes, but the procedure itself is quick.
Who will be doing the smear?
All smears at Duality are taken by a qualified female GP or female specialist nurse, both experienced in women's health and the collection and processing of Pap smears.
How long until I get my results?
Results are typically available within 3 weeks of your appointment and shared with you electronically. As with all modern smears, your sample is first tested for HPV — if HPV is detected, it's then examined for cytological changes.
What if my result is abnormal?
You'll have access to discounted GP follow-up appointments after your smear — by phone, video or face-to-face — so a Duality GP can talk you through what the result means and what (if anything) the next step would be.
Where can I book?
Smears are available at every Duality clinic: Belfast, Newry, Ballymena (Galgorm), Omagh and Derry. Evenings and weekends available.
Ready to book your smear?
It's the only way to detect changes that can develop into cervical cancer. 30 minutes of your time, on your terms.