Cervical screening information for the Aboriginal health workforce

There are two ways women can have a Cervical Screening Test:

• they can collect their own sample (also known as self-collection), in private at a health care clinic
• a doctor or nurse can collect a sample.

The Cervical Screening Test is available through a health care provider at:

The Cervical Screening Test can also be done as a part of the 715 health check.

Host a yarn and screening gathering with your local community

A community gathering can be a great way to yarn in a safe way about cervical screening. A range of resources are available to support community yarns:

• An educational Flipchart ‘Yarning about Aboriginal Women’s health business: Cervical Screening’ and facilitators’ manual.
• Motivational items for yarning group attendees to encourage screening and start community conversations including bookmarks, earrings, coin purses and water bottles.

Offer a space and support for cervical screening self-collection on the same day if you can, or take appointments for clinician collected testing.

• Self-collection pouches are available to enable discreet testing
• Modesty covers are available for use in the clinic, designed to improve cultural safety for Cervical Screening Tests conducted by a nurse or doctor.

To order any of these resources please email  CINSW-CervicalScreening@health.nsw.gov.au 

All items feature artwork by Aboriginal artist Madison Connors and have been specifically designed to support culturally safe cervical screening for Aboriginal women.

Promote self-collection as an option

Self-collection is available for anyone who may be more comfortable collecting their own sample. Pouches for discrete self-collection are available to order from CINSW-CervicalScreening@health.nsw.gov.au. The National Cervical Screening Program also has resources to support your work in the community by promoting self-collection.

Increase cultural safety in the clinic

Display resources for Aboriginal clients and offer modesty covers for clinician collected Cervical Screening Tests. Covers for clinical use are available to order from CINSW-CervicalScreening@health.nsw.gov.au.

Use our guide to help you organise cervical screening health promotion activities

Learn how to organise cervical screening health promotion activities that can improve cervical screening in your local area by browsing the online guide. 

Join the NSW Aboriginal Cervical Screening Network

This Network aims to increase participation in cervical screening amongst Aboriginal women in NSW. It includes Aboriginal support workers, allied health workers from local health districts and primary health networks, and staff from Aboriginal Medical Services who come together to share ideas and resources. If you'd like to join the network, contact our team at CINSW-CervicalScreening@health.nsw.gov.au.