Dear Colleagues
We are aware that you have received several emails relating to changes to cervical screening over the last few weeks. These emails have come from a number of sources which has led to quite a bit of confusion and concern. As such, we felt it would be helpful to put together an email to try to pull all of this together and clarify what you need to do and by when.
Clearly if you need any further information please let us know:
National Context:
- The NHS Cervical Screening Programmehas made a significant impact on cervical cancer mortality since it was established in 1988, saving an estimated 5,000 lives a year. However, coverage is at a 20-year low.
- In an aim to address this decline a new programme was launched earlier this year with a range of key changes:
– A national multi-media campaign to raise awareness and encourage uptake of the new test
– The introduction of the HPV primary screening test to replace the existing cytology test
– Pilots to trial text messaging reminders
– The possibility of using a home-based self-sample, which is being considered in a UK National Screening Committee consultation
– Changes in HPV vaccination to include boys
Local changes:
- The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) won the bid for HPV testing for the West Midlands, taking over from University Hospitals North Midlands (UHNM).
- From 1 August 2019 the administration of Cervical Screening Services transferred from PCSE to the NHS North of England Commissioning Support Unit (NECS). Online forms and contact details can be found on a new NECS website at www.csas.nhs.uk – this information was sent out to practices from Halesfield on 31st July (copy attached).
- Conversion to the new testing system (Thin-prep) will be complete for Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin CCGs by 19th August.
- Sure-path samples processed after 19th August will be rejected by the Lab.
- Any Sure-path stock in practices after the practice has converted will need to be returned to the Stoke laboratory – a further communication is expected to come out soon regarding this.
- All cervical screening samples for Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin will continue to be collected by UHNM Transport and taken to RWT for processing.
- Collection days will continue as per current arrangements.
- Please see latest communication (sent out on Thursday 8th August – attached) that outlines the changes and requirements in regard to the new testing system.
- Further notification will come out shortly regarding the roll-out to HPV primary.
What do Shropshire / T&W practices need to do?
- In order to convert to Thin-prep, all sample takers are required to complete a 2 minute online training session: https://youtu.be/eejW4y0N-jk – this should be completed ASAP.
- Once training has been completed, sample takers should email their Pin Number, Surgery Name and M-code to rwh-tr.hpvscreening@nhs.net. Please entitle your email “Thin-prep Training Complete”. RWT will update your pin register status to indicate you have undertaken the necessary training on Thin-prep. Once you have been acknowledged you can begin using the Thin-prep stock. Should you not inform RWT, any sample taken with an unknown pin register status could be rejected from the laboratory.
- You should have received a pack of Thin-prep kits (enough for 25 samples) and a copy of an order form for sample takers from RWT. If this has not been received please let us know ASAP.
- RWT are adding a new trading partner to the clinical system in order to receive e-results for smear tests. Practice EMIS codes have been provided in order that this can be set up.
- An engineer from RWT may need to visit practice sites to complete this set-up – this will not interrupt any services and is expected to take no longer than 20 minutes. Sally Green, Project Coordinator from RWT, is contacting practices regarding this – your assistance with this is appreciated.
- As an interim measure practices are requested to revert to paper requests/results until IT links have been established for results and requests.
We hope this clarifies the situation, but do get in touch if you have any queries.
Any general enquiries can be sent to Michelle Harris, Programme Manager – email: rwh-tr.HPVScreening@nhs.net or call 01902 444498.
Should you have any further queries in relation to cervical screening please email england.northmidlandspublichealth@nhs.net