Guidance

Cervical screening: accepting samples in laboratories

This is to help commissioners, sample takers and laboratories reduce errors associated with cervical screening sample requests.

Applies to England

Documents

Example laboratory audit report to commissioners

Example sample taker audit report

Details

The purpose of this document is to improve the quality of service provided by the NHS Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP) by reducing the administrative and technical errors associated with cervical screening sample requests. It includes pathways, roles and responsibilities.

Implementing this guidance will reduce:

  • the risk of people receiving incorrect screening
  • the time taken for people to receive their cervical screening test results

This publication was originally published by Public Health England, which closed on 30 September 2021.

Updates to this page

Published 3 April 2017
Last updated 26 September 2024 + show all updates
  1. Added clarification that publication was originally published by Public Health England.

  2. Amended section 6.3 to show women on routine recall taken more than 3 months ahead of schedule.

  3. Reviewed and revised in line with updated guidance on primary human papillomavirus (HPV) screening implementation.

  4. Reverted to previous version until updated version ready.

  5. Reviewed and revised in line with updated guidance on primary human papillomavirus (HPV) screening implementation.

  6. First published.

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