In this paper a computer system for cervical screening call and recall based on the Community Health Index (CHI) population data‐base is described. It allows the unscreened population to be identified and located on an individual general practice basis. The results of the call programme on 9517 women aged 20–60 years listed on the CHI and with no record of a cervical smear is described. There was a 24% smear uptake in the call programme which meant that after the call programme the total population cover had risen from 71% to 78%. In addition, if women with a valid reason are excluded, and the data‐base corrected for women no longer in the area, the true cover rises to 88%. An analysis of the percentage cover in each GP practice is described with the implications for implementation of screening targets for primary