A new Mobile Health Hub is being launched across the Black Country to help make cervical screening, also known as smear tests, more accessible and encourage more people to protect themselves against cervical cancer.
The new mobile service will visit communities across the Black Country, providing another option for people who are eligible for cervical screening and helping to bring screening closer to where people live.
The launch of the Black Country Mobile Health Hub is part of a wider programme of mobile cervical screening being offered across Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull. A Mobile Screening Unit has been visiting neighbourhoods and communities across Birmingham and Solihull since December 2025, bringing screening closer to local people.
The Black Country service follows extensive engagement and co-production with local women, people with a cervix and community organisations, which highlighted a range of barriers to cervical screening - including fear, embarrassment, stigma, cultural concerns and practical difficulties accessing appointments.
The Mobile Health Hub has been developed in response to this feedback, helping people to understand what happens during screening and providing an accessible way to attend.
Ian Sharp, Medical Advisor, NHS Birmingham and Solihull and NHS Black Country, said:
“Cancer is one of our seven clinical priorities, and prevention and early detection are an important part of our work to improve cancer outcomes for our people and communities.
“Cervical screening can help prevent cervical cancer, but we know there are many reasons why people may delay or avoid screening. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to access screening and get the support they need.
“We listened to local women, people with a cervix and communities about the things that can make screening difficult, and our mobile screening service is one of the ways we are responding to what we heard.
“We want people to know that HPV is very common and there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Screening is quick, carried out by trained healthcare professionals and most appointments take around 10 minutes.
“By bringing cervical screening into communities, we hope to remove some of the practical barriers people face and make it easier for more people to take that important step to help protect themselves against cervical cancer.”
Where will the Mobile Health Hub be?
The hub will visit communities across the Black Country bringing cervical screening closer to where people live, work and spend time.
The wider mobile screening programme will also continue across Birmingham and Solihull, where the Mobile Screening Unit has been visiting communities since December 2025.
Latest dates and locations for the Mobile Health Hub and the Mobile Screening Unit can be found here.
The programme will work closely with community organisations, faith groups and other trusted local voices to share information about HPV and cervical screening, answer questions and help people feel more confident about attending.
The campaign also aims to address common myths and concerns about cervical screening and explain what people can expect when they attend.
People who are eligible for cervical screening can choose to attend their GP practice or visit the Mobile Health Hub where available.
Why is cervical screening important?
Cervical screening helps prevent cervical cancer by identifying HPV and changes to cells in the cervix before cancer develops.
HPV is very common and having HPV is nothing to be embarrassed about.
Most cervical screening appointments take around 10 minutes and are carried out by trained healthcare professionals.
Anyone who feels anxious about screening or needs additional support can speak to the healthcare professional carrying out their appointment.
