Women Invited To Get On The Pompey Bus!

Everyone enjoys a bit of pampering, and if you're a woman aged between 25 and 64 years, that’s exactly what’s on offer from Friday (19 November) for free.

The Pompey Bus is being transformed into a touring Ladies Lounge, offering women in this age group free hand massages or manicures, in return for passing on their experiences and opinions on breast and cervical screening services.

NHS Portsmouth is running the Ladies Lounge on the following dates from 11am:

*          Friday 19 November outside Tesco in Cosham

*          Saturday 20 November between Debenhams and Burton in Commercial Road, in the city centre, and in the Guildhall Square

*          Sunday 21 November – Asda at the Bridge Shopping Centre, Fratton

*          Tuesday 23 November – Palmerston Road, between Knight & Lee and Debenhams, in Southsea.

Even if you don’t want a free hand massage or manicure, pop on board for a hot drink and tell us what you think of breast and cervical screening.

Campbell Todd, from NHS Portsmouth, said:

“We’re really keen to find out women’s opinions on our screening services, what they like and what they think could be improved. 

“We’d also love to know why some women choose not to take up their screening invitations, so even if you’ve missed a breast or cervical screen, or never attended following an invitation, you’re welcome to visit the Ladies Lounge to tell us why.

“We’ll be using the feedback to help us find ways to increase the uptake of screening services among women aged 25-64 years.  We’ll also be providing women with the facts about screening, and dispelling any myths that they may have heard.

“So don’t be shy - visit the Ladies Lounge for your free treatment and help us improve screening services citywide.”

The Ladies Lounge will also be recruiting women aged 25-64 years, who live in the Fratton, Central Southsea, St Jude, St Thomas, Paulsgrove or Charles Dickens wards to become researchers for the local NHS.

NHS Portsmouth will provide two days training to enable women to speak to eight friends, family members and colleagues about cervical and breast screening, before sharing their findings at a half day workshop.  No previous experience or knowledge of research or screening services is required.

Campbell Todd said: “We know talking about breast and cervical screening can be sensitive issues for some women, and they often feel more comfortable talking about it with people they know.  We hope that local women will be able to uncover some of the issues better than our researchers.”

For more information, ask one of the hostesses at the Ladies Lounge, or contact Ingrid on 0203 1426 686 or email Ingrid@uscreates.com.

If you would like to find out more information regarding breast and cervical screening check out www.nhs.uk/choices.