Women across Medway are having to wait up to six weeks for smear test results.

The NHS target is 14 days but due to changes in testing and a reduction of screeners, they are waiting up to three times as long.

Smear tests carried out in Medway and West Kent are processed by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW).

Dr Sara Mumford, clinical director of pathology and pharmacy for the trust, said: “As a result of the introduction of the new Primary HPV testing planned for late 2019, women are experiencing a delay in receiving results due to a reduction in the number of experienced cyto-screeners.

“MTW is the first laboratory approved to implement the new screening for some women in their area from June.

"We think this will resolve the delays. Studies have shown HPV testing is highly effective.”

It is hoped the new screening process will be rolled out to the whole of West Kent and Medway by December.

Kelsie Smith, 24, has been waiting for eight weeks for her results and has struggled to get any answers from her surgery.

The teacher described the wait as "frustrating and unnerving".

"If the test result was to be the worst outcome, time isn't a luxury some can afford" - Kelsie Smith

She said: “The phones are busy first thing in the morning and when I ring after school they tell me I have to call after 2pm for results.

“I don’t understand why it takes so long when actually, if it was to be the worst outcome, time isn’t a luxury some can afford.

"It’s almost something people have grown to expect.”

In January, our sister paper the Medway Messenger reported more than 25% of women in Medway were not going to screenings.

A 28-year-old from Wainscott, who didn’t want to be named, went for her first test two weeks ago and was told to expect her results in up to six weeks.

She said: “It was the first time I went because I was scared about going.

“Considering it could bring back a bad result it’s not good.

“I think people will only really care about the wait if it’s a bad result. That’s not right.”