This email was sent to me from a Practice Nurse. I have posted it here so that the answer can be shared and you will see my reply is included.
Hi J I’m glad you found it useful. Things are changing all the time aren’t they so I feel it is so important for you as assessors to be well informed. You are right. I don’t think you can be entirely sure that these ladies haven’t been sexually active and in fact they are such a vulnerable group so yes they should be included.


Sent: 20 October 2011 15:59
To: White, Mary
Subject: Smears

Hi Mary,
Thanks for a really useful up date.
We're just planning the cytology protocol for our ladies with learning disabilities. I said the ladies who are thought never to have been sexually active still need to be considered for smear invitations. I'm not meaning from a LD, consent, mental capacity angle but from the sexual history angle.
Please could you advise me re this
Many Thanks
J