- Conference
- 2009 Health Care Service Group Conference
- Date
- 11 December 2008
- Decision
- Carried
Despite health service measures to encourage women to attend cervical cancer screening sessions, the number of women being screened has dropped significantly, with the number of women aged 25-64 dying from cervical cancer increasing by 6.4% during 2007.
Research in December 2008 has also shown that there is a clear link between income and cervical cancer, where diagnosis levels are twice as high in deprived areas, possibly due to the lower take up of screening.
Conference notes that, given the high number of low paid women in the 25-64 year age bracket working in the NHS, these statistics will be reflected in our members working in the health service.
Conference notes that in response to Dame Carol Black’s 2008 report into the health of Britain’s working age population, the government has announced a review into the health and well-being of the NHS workforce. Conference believes that any such review should focus on the need to invest in the workforce by developing effective healthy workplace policies including support for women NHS staff to attend cervical cancer screening sessions. Conference therefore calls upon the SGE to:
i. submit evidence to the government’s review, making the case for women NHS staff to be encouraged and supported to attend cervical cancer screening sessions during working hours and without loss of pay;
ii.issue guidance to health branches on negotiating healthy workplace policies that facilitate and encourage women to participate in cancer screening sessions.
iii. campaign to improve access to supportive occupational health services.