NHS cervical screening programme core and supporting activities
Updated 10 October 2024
Applies to England
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The core activities of the NHS cervical screening programme (CSP) are to:
- send invitations and reminders to the public and sample takers
- take samples
- report human papillomavirus (HPV) and cytology
- record and send out results to the public and sample takers
- perform colposcopy and treatment
- report histology biopsies and specimens
- provide information and advice for invitees
The supporting activities of the NHS CSP are:
- workforce planning, recruitment and retention
- training for all staff: sample takers, laboratories, cervical screening provider leads (CSPLs), colposcopy, histology, virology, administration and so on
- promoting and explaining the programme: face to face, mass media, campaigns, social media, written information
- establishing, updating and maintaining IT systems
- commissioning and co-ordinating locally, regionally and nationally
- acting on research evidence to set new policy
- commissioning research to help improve the programme
- quality checking each element of the programme
- providing information and support for the public