PHE screening helpdesk enquiries
Updated 25 May 2022
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/be-clear-on-cancer-first-national-cervical-screening-saves-lives-campaign/phe-screening-helpdesk-enquiries
This is one of a series of summaries produced for the campaign, each focusing on a different evaluation measure (referred to as a metric) which reflects a key point in the patient pathway. These metrics should not be considered in isolation. Please refer to the considerations when interpreting these results.
Main finding
The first national ‘Cervical Screening Saves Lives’ campaign appears to have had an impact on the volume of cervical screening helpdesk enquiries. During the campaign the total number of enquiries received by the Public Health England (PHE) Screening helpdesk increased to 1,244, a 516% increase compared to one year earlier.
Background
This metric considers whether the ‘Cervical Screening Saves Lives’ campaign had an impact on the number of enquiries made to the PHE Screening helpdesk during and shortly after the campaign.
Methods
The volume of PHE Screening helpdesk enquiries was sourced from PHE Screening. Monthly data were provided for the period January 2018 to December 2019. Data included the source of enquiry, either from members of the public or from healthcare professionals. For enquiries from members of the public these were stratified by enquiries for screening results, screening invitations and any other enquiry.
The analysis period was defined as March, April and May 2019 and the comparison period defined as March, April and May 2018. The total number of enquiries for the 3 month analysis period was compared with the total number of enquiries for the comparison period, in 2018.
Results
Figure 1 shows the trend in the number of enquiries made by members of the public and healthcare professionals combined (total enquiries) and by members of the public only (public enquiries). In March 2019 there was a large increase in the number of total and public enquires which was sustained until May 2019, with a gradual decline thereafter. As of December 2019, the number of total and public enquires had not returned to pre-campaign levels.
Figure 1: Monthly number of total enquiries and public enquiries to the PHE Screening helpdesk, from January 2018 to December 2019, England.
Comparing the months March to May 2019 with March to May 2018, there was a statistically significant increase of 516% (p<0.001), from 202 to 1,244, in the total number of enquiries received by the PHE Screening helpdesk. There was a statistically significant increase of 699% (p<0.001), from 148 to 1,182, in the number of enquiries from members of the public (Figure 1).
Figure 2 shows the trend in the number of enquiries stratified by enquiry type. In March 2019 there were large increases in the number of enquires for screening results, screening invitations and other enquiries. Enquiries for screening results increased until May 2019, and a gradual decline was seen thereafter. As of December 2019, for all 3 enquiry types, the number of enquires had not returned to pre-campaign levels.
Figure 2: Monthly number of enquiries by category, made to the PHE Screening helpdesk, from January 2018 to December 2019, England.
Comparing the months March to May 2019 with March to May 2018, there was a statistically significant increase of 1,553% (p<0.001), from 32 to 529, in the number of enquiries for cervical screening results. This is the largest percentage increase of the 3 categories measured. There was a statistically significant 308% increase (p<0.001), from 48 to 196, in the number of screening invitation enquiries and a 572% increase (p<0.001), from 68 to 457, for all other enquiries (figure 2).
Conclusions
There was a statistically significant increase in the volume of PHE Screening helpdesk enquiries during and immediately after the campaign. This was especially for enquiries particularly related to cervical screening results information.
Get advice on the signs and symptoms of cancer from the NHS website. You can also find out more about the evaluation of Be Clear on Cancer campaigns.