Guidance

Cancer audit process

Updated 20 October 2021

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2021

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cervical-screening-disclosure-of-audit-results-toolkit/cancer-audit-process

This guidance covers phase 1 of the audit process undertaken when a person is diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Phase 1 (the cancer audit process) terminates with the disclosing clinician sending a letter to the individual, offering them the chance to receive information arising from the audit.

Phase 2 (the disclosure offer process) covers the 4 possible outcomes of this offer. It should be completed within 6 months of the offer letter being sent.

The following flowchart illustrates the cancer audit process.

Text description of the cancer audit process flowchart

Starting point: the person receives a cervical cancer diagnosis

Decision point: has the person had cervical screening within the last 10 years?

If no:

  • the cervical screening provider lead (CSPL) completes the audit proforma and submits it to the Screening Quality Assurance Service (SQAS)
  • an offer of disclosure is not required; end of pathway

If yes:

  • the CSPL reports the diagnosis of cancer at the diagnosing organisation’s colposcopy multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting
  • an audit of screening results is initiated by the CSPL, which must be completed within 6 months
  • the CSPL send the completed audit forms to SQAS, informing them whether duty of candour applies and requesting advice if necessary
  • audit results are discussed at a subsequent colposcopy MDT meeting
  • the colposcopy lead nominates an appropriately trained disclosing clinician
  • the CSPL provides the disclosing clinician with the audit results
  • the disclosing clinician writes to the individual offering to disclose the audit results; end of audit pathway
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