In Chelsea, the Kensington International Clinic offers cervical screening in a confidential, bilingual French-English private setting.
For French-speaking patients living in London or visiting the city, our team of international gynaecologists and consultants provides a smooth experience, with the option to discuss your screening in your mother tongue, free from medical or cultural barriers.
Why book a private smear test in our London clinic?
The NHS organises free cervical screening every three to five years for eligible patients. However, appointment slots can be slow to come by, and result turnaround varies. Choosing a private smear test in London at our South Kensington clinic addresses several practical needs:
- A fast appointment ;
- Results within five days ;
- Personalised follow-up ;
- Enhanced confidentiality ;
- A wide choice of consultants.
At the Kensington International Clinic, your smear test fits within a comprehensive women’s health pathway (routine consultations, menopause support, contraception, pre- and postnatal care).
How does a cervical screening work?
A smear test involves taking a small sample of cells from the surface of the cervix using a soft brush. The aim is to detect early cellular changes that could develop into cervical cancer, and to identify the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Your appointment, step by step
- Pre-consultation discussion with your doctor: medical history, date of your last period, any symptoms, and the option of having a chaperone present ;
- Positioning on the examination couch ;
- Insertion of a lubricated speculum to visualise the cervix ;
- Sample collection: a soft brush is gently passed across the transformation zone of the cervix, painlessly in the vast majority of cases (a brief sensation of pressure) ;
- Sample sent to the laboratory for cytological analysis and HPV testing.
The procedure itself takes two to three minutes. The full appointment (consultation, examination, post-procedure advice) lasts between 20 and 30 minutes.
Is it painful?
The sensation is generally described as mild discomfort, sometimes accompanied by light pressure. If pain occurs, it may indicate pelvic muscle tension or an underlying condition (vaginismus, dryness, endometriosis), which is important to mention.
Your clinician will then adapt the size of the speculum, take the time needed and, in some cases, use a local anaesthetic gel.
At what age and how often should you have a smear test?
The NHS recommends cervical screening:
- Every three years for people aged 25 to 49 ;
- Every five years for people aged 50 to 64 ;
- After 64, screening usually stops, unless there is a recent history of abnormal results.
Special Cases
- Under 25: routine screening is not generally recommended, as cellular changes often regress spontaneously. It may, however, be carried out in the presence of symptoms or specific risk factors.
- During pregnancy: screening is usually postponed until three months after delivery, unless there is a recent history of abnormality.
- After menopause: screening remains relevant up to 64, and beyond depending on personal history.
- Trans and non-binary people with a cervix: screening is recommended according to the same age criteria.
How to prepare
for your appointment
A few simple recommendations help ensure a reliable sample:
- Schedule the appointment mid-cycle, ideally between 10 and 14 days after the start of your last period.
- Avoid penetrative intercourse for 24 to 48 hours before the appointment.
- Do not use tampons, lubricants, vaginal creams or pessaries for two days beforehand.
- Postpone the appointment if you are menstruating or being treated for a vaginal infection.
- Wear comfortable clothing (a skirt or dress makes the examination easier).
Information about pricing and booking
Below you’ll find all the information you need to book your appointment at our private clinic. With our specialists, you are assured of a high-quality care pathway, available in your mother tongue.
Who performs your screening?
Several gynaecology specialists at our private London clinic carry out smear tests and cervical screening.
Dr Rami WAKIM
A senior Consultant in Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecology, Dr Rami Wakim brings over 25 years of clinical experience.
Trained at Ain-Shams University in Cairo and later specialised in Obstetrics and Gynaecology through fellowships at University College London Hospital (UCLH) and Imperial College London, he obtained his membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 2000.
Bilingual in French and Arabic, he welcomes French-speaking patients, primarily for fertility and reproductive health questions.
Dr Emily KARA
A bilingual French-British general practitioner, Dr Emily Kara is one of the main points of contact for French-speaking patients at the Kensington International Clinic.
She delivers international vaccination consultations, vaccination assessments for adults and children, as well as routine gynaecological consultations, including cervical screening.
Her daily practice in French ensures a smooth experience for screening, contraception and long-term women’s health follow-up.
Dr Madhu GHOSH
Dr Madhu Ghosh is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Trained in India and the United Kingdom, she is a Member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and developed her expertise in gynaecological scanning and early pregnancy following her training at St George’s Hospital.
Alongside English, she speaks Bengali, Hindi and Urdu, broadening the multilingual care available to international patients.
Consultation fees
The fee for a private smear test at our clinic includes the consultation, the sample collection, cytological analysis at an accredited laboratory, the HPV test (with sub-typing if required), and the delivery and interpretation of your results. A detailed quote is provided when you book.
Dr. Rami Wakim fees
Gynaecology – Fees
Service | Duration | Fee |
Consultation Gynaecology (initial) | 30 min | £200 |
Video Consultation | 30 min | £150 |
Consultation + Ultrasound | 30 min | £390 |
Ultrasound | 30 min | £250 |
Ultrasound Follow-up | 30 min | £180 |
IUD Placement | 30 min | £320 + IUD cost |
IUD Removal | 30 min | £240 |
Early Pregnancy Scan + Consultation | 30 min | £390 |
Early Pregnancy Scan | 30 min | £240 |
Fertility – Fees
Service | Duration | Fee |
Consultation Fertility (Female) | 30 min | £250 |
Consultation Fertility (Couple) | 30 min | £300 |
Consultation Fertility (Video) | 30 min | £180 |
Consultation Follow-up | 30 min | £220 |
Fertility Scan | 30 min | £200 |
Ovulation Scan | 30 min | £180 |
Dr. Madhu Gosh fees
Service | Duration | Fee |
Consultation Gynaecology (initial) | 30 min | £170 |
3D Gynaecology Ultrasound Scan (with consultation) | 30 min | £390 |
Early Pregnancy Scan (without consultation) | 30 min | £240 |
Ultrasound Scan + Endometrial Biopsy | 30 min | £450 |
Ultrasound-Guided Insertion/Removal of IUD (coil) + IUD cost | 30 min | £320 |
Consultation + IUD Removal + Ultrasound | 30 min | £240 |
Consultation + Difficult IUD Removal (extended ultrasound) | 30 min | £440 |
Dr. Emily Kara FEES
General Practice – Fees
Service | Duration | Fee |
Consultation | 20 min | £135 |
GP Consultation for Children | 30 min | £140 |
Consultation | 30 min | £180 |
Extended Consultation | 45–60 min | £350 |
Vaccination Consultation (+ vaccine price) | 20 min | £135 |
Gynaecology – Fees
Service | Fee |
Consultation Gynaecology | £150 |
HOW TO BOOK
To book an appointment with one of our cervical screening specialists:
- By phone: 020 7589 9321
- By email: contact@lamaisonmedicale.co.uk
- Online: through our booking system
FAQ
Does a smear test detect all gynaecological infections?
No.
The smear test only looks for cellular changes in the cervix and the presence of HPV. It does not screen for sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis), or for bacterial or fungal vaginal infections. A complementary STI panel can be carried out on request during the same appointment.
Can I have a smear test during my period?
It is best to avoid it, as menstrual blood can interfere with cytological analysis.
If your period starts close to your appointment, please contact the clinic to reschedule.
Is a smear test covered by private health insurance?
Most international private health insurers cover cervical screening.
The exact coverage depends on your contract: a quote can be provided in advance for your insurer.
What should I do if my HPV result is positive?
A positive HPV result is not a cancer diagnosis.
It indicates the presence of the virus, which in most cases will be cleared naturally by the immune system. Depending on the associated cytological profile, your clinician will recommend either a follow-up at 12 months or a colposcopy for further investigation of the cervix.
