Quick answer
A private smear test (cervical screening) in London is a five-minute check of the health of your cervix, carried out by a doctor or nurse in a private consultation room. With The Online GP at Unit 4, 10 Portman Square, Marylebone, you can usually be seen the same or next day, and the fee is confirmed with you before booking (as of October 2026). Your sample is tested for human papillomavirus (HPV) first, in line with current NHS practice, and results come back with a clear explanation and a plan for anything that needs follow-up.
How much is a private smear test in London?
With The Online GP, the fee for a private smear test is confirmed with you before booking, so you know the exact figure before you commit (as of October 2026). If you would like the test as part of a wider check, it can sit inside our well woman health check, and our cervical screening and well woman guide explains how the two fit together.
It is worth knowing that cervical screening is free on the NHS for everyone aged 25 to 64 who is registered with a GP. Women choose a private test when they want a time that suits them, a female clinician on request, a longer unhurried appointment, or a test outside the NHS invitation schedule, for example after a missed invitation or before trying for a baby.
| NHS cervical screening | Private smear test with The Online GP | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free, ages 25 to 64 | Confirmed before booking, as of October 2026 |
| How you get it | Invitation every 5 years, booked at your GP surgery | Book directly, same or next day usually available |
| Appointment style | Standard screening slot | Longer, unhurried, female clinician on request |
| What is tested | HPV first, cells checked if HPV found | HPV first, in line with NHS practice |
| Results | NHS App or letter | Explained directly, with a follow-up plan |
What happens at a smear test?
The appointment is usually about 20 minutes, and the test itself takes around five. You undress from the waist down behind a screen, lie back with your knees bent and apart, and the clinician gently inserts a speculum so they can see your cervix. A small soft brush takes a sample of cells. It can feel uncomfortable for a moment but should not be painful, and you can ask to stop at any time. You can carry on with your day straight afterwards.
If you feel anxious, say so when you book and when you arrive. A slower appointment, a smaller speculum and a female clinician are all things we can arrange.
Who needs cervical screening, and how often?
The NHS invites everyone with a cervix aged 25 to 64 for screening every 5 years, with the first invitation arriving a few months before your 25th birthday. The programme changed from a 3-yearly to a 5-yearly interval because the test now looks for HPV first, which is a more sensitive way to spot risk early. You may be invited sooner if HPV was found at your last test.
Under 25s are not invited because cervical cancer is very rare at that age and abnormal changes in younger women usually settle on their own. If you are 65 or over you will only be invited if a recent test was abnormal, but if you have never been screened, or have not been screened since 50, you can ask a GP for a test.
Whatever your age, do not wait for screening if you have symptoms such as bleeding between periods, bleeding during or after sex, bleeding after the menopause, or unusual discharge. Those symptoms need a GP appointment, not a screening slot.
What do smear test results mean?
Your sample is tested for HPV first. According to the NHS, there are three possible outcomes:
- No HPV found. Most people get this result. Your risk of cervical cancer is very low and you will be invited again in 5 years.
- Unclear result. Sometimes the sample cannot be read, and you will be asked to repeat the test in about 3 months. This is common and does not mean anything is wrong.
- HPV found. If HPV is present but there are no abnormal cell changes, you will be invited again in 1 year. If HPV is present and the cells show abnormal changes, you will be referred for a colposcopy, a closer look at the cervix in hospital.
A positive HPV result is very common and is not a sign that a partner has been unfaithful; HPV can stay in the body for many years without causing problems. If your result needs follow-up, your GP will explain exactly what happens next and can refer you on.
Private smear test or NHS screening: which should I choose?
If you are happy with the NHS timetable and your surgery has convenient appointments, the NHS test is a good, free option and we would never talk you out of it. A private test makes sense when you have missed invitations and want to catch up without explaining yourself, when you want a specific time, a longer appointment or a female clinician, or when you simply want the reassurance of being seen this week rather than next month. Either way, the most important thing is that the test gets done.
How do I book a private smear test?
- Message us on WhatsApp or call 020 3951 3429 and ask for a private smear test.
- We confirm the fee before booking and offer you the next suitable appointment at Unit 4, 10 Portman Square, Marylebone, London W1H 6AZ.
- The test takes about five minutes, with time before and after to ask questions.
- Your results come back with a clear explanation, and your GP arranges any follow-up or referral if one is needed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private smear test cost in London?
The Online GP confirms the exact fee with you before booking, as of October 2026, so you always know the figure before you commit. NHS cervical screening is free for everyone aged 25 to 64.
How often should I have a smear test?
The NHS invites everyone with a cervix aged 25 to 64 every 5 years. You may be invited sooner if HPV was found at your last test. You can book privately at any time if you have missed an invitation or want a test outside the schedule.
Does a smear test hurt?
It can feel briefly uncomfortable but should not be painful, and the test itself takes about five minutes. You can ask the clinician to stop at any time, and a smaller speculum or a female clinician can be arranged.
What does a smear test actually test for?
The sample is tested first for human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus linked to nearly all cervical cancers. Cells are only examined for abnormal changes if HPV is found.
How long do smear test results take?
The NHS sends results by letter or the NHS App and the clinician will tell you when to expect them. When you test with The Online GP, your GP tells you when your result will be ready and explains it to you directly.
Can I have a smear test on my period?
It is best to book for a day when you are not bleeding, as blood can make the sample harder to read. If your period arrives unexpectedly, contact us and we will move your appointment.
What happens if my smear test is abnormal?
If HPV is found without abnormal cell changes, you are invited back in 1 year. If abnormal cell changes are found, you are referred for a colposcopy. Your GP will explain the result and arrange the referral for you.
Do I need a smear test after a hysterectomy?
If you have had a total hysterectomy that removed your cervix, you do not need cervical screening, according to the NHS. If your cervix was not removed, screening continues as normal.
Sources
- NHS, Cervical screening: who is invited and what the test is for.
- NHS, When you'll be invited for cervical screening: ages 25 to 64, the 5-year interval, under-25 and over-65 guidance, page last reviewed 26 June 2025.
- NHS, Your cervical screening results: HPV-first testing and what each result means.
Reviewed by The Wellness Clinical Team, October 2026.