AN INITIATIVE to encourage busy mothers to take the smear test has been launched by the council.

Six childminders have been enlisted by the Wokingham Borough Council to give mums across the borough the opportunity to go and get a smear test.

The test is crucial in diagnosing early signs of cervical cancer, and so the designated childminders will be offering one hour of free childcare while they are away.

According to Cancer Research UK one barrier that women face is not having time to attend a cervical screening appointment, with recent research revealing less than three-quarters of women invited for cervical screening take it up.

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Councillor Charles Margetts, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services, said: “We hope that this new initiative helps hundreds of mum’s across the borough in attending their cervical screening appointments.

"It’s extremely important to remove barriers that local mother’s might face. We’re proud to be working in partnership with childminders to promote this free childminding service."

In order to be connected to your closest available childminder, contact earlyyears@wokingham.gov.uk.