Reimagining cervical screening with YOU in mind

We know that going for a cervical screening can feel difficult especially if you’re neurodivergent or have had a challenging experience in the past.

We believe everyone deserves a cervical screening experience that feels safe, respectful, and truly accessible.

Our Neurodiversity-Friendly Cervical Screening Chartermark celebrates and supports healthcare providers who are committed to inclusive, person-centred care for neurodivergent women and people with a cervix, who may experience screening differently.

So, what exactly is the Neurodiversity-Friendly Cervical Screening Chartermark?

This Chartermark is a special quality mark given to GP surgeries and clinics that meet higher standards for accessible, inclusive cervical screening.

It shows that a GP surgery service or gynaecologist has listened to neurodivergent people, learned from their experiences, and made real changes so that screenings feel calmer, kinder, and more in your control.

When you see the Neurodiversity-Friendly Cervical Screening Chartermark, you can trust that the staff have been trained and the environment has been adapted to meet different needs.

How does a GP Surgery or clinic earn the Chartermark?

To be awarded the Neurodiversity-Friendly Cervical Screening Chartermark, GP surgeries and clinics must:

  1. Complete neurodiversity training on understanding and supporting neurodivergent people during cervical screening.

  2. Review their environment to make it more sensory-friendly. For example, offering quiet waiting spaces or reducing bright lights.

  3. Update their policies and booking systems to give people more choice and control over appointments.

  4. Ask for feedback from neurodivergent patients and show they’re learning from it.

  5. Commit to ongoing improvement, not just a one-time change.

When you see the Chartermark, you can be confident that your care team is dedicated to getting it right for you.

Our key promises to you…

We know that communication needs differ. We’ll listen, adapt, and give you choices in how we share information, whether that’s written guides, visual aids, or quiet explanations.

You will always be heard

No jargon. No assumptions.

We can explain things in detail, let you know only when things are happening, or we can remain completely quiet.

We will use clear & kind language

You decide the pace we go at. You can stop, pause, or ask questions at any time during. We’ll always explain what’s happening before it happens. No judgement. Ever.

You will always be
in control

We’ll make different sized speculums available for your comfort and if we need to change the size at any point, we’ll be 100% transparent about.

We will offer different sized speculums

Your sensory needs matter

Wherever possible, we will always try to reduce bright lights, strong smells, and noise. We encourage you to bring a fidget toy, listen to music or bring a comforter.

You can bring someone with you

You are always welcome to bring someone with you to your appointment if it helps you to regulate. If it is important to you, it’s important to us In fact, we encourage you to.

Have questions and want to reach out?

If you have seen this Chartermark in your surgery or clinic and have any questions, please reach out to them in the first instance. Every surgery has access to a Chartermark Champion who can help with any specific queries.

For questions about this project, how to get involved, or how to ask your surgery to join the scheme, please click HERE.

For all other queries, please email us at ndcs@startdifferently.org.uk