Disclosure offer process
Updated 26 September 2024
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cervical-screening-disclosure-of-audit-results-toolkit/disclosure-offer-process
This guidance covers phase 2 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. (See the accompanying attachment cancer audit process.)
Phase 2 (the disclosure offer process) covers the 4 possible outcomes of this offer. It should be completed within 6 months of the first letter being sent (unless the person defers making a decision). Unless otherwise stated, all actions are carried out by the disclosing clinician.
1. No response to offer letter
If no response received in 3 months – does duty of candour apply?
No
Document this in the patient notes and inform the cervical screening provider lead (CSPL), treating clinician and the person’s GP.
Yes
Send a second offer letter. If no response is received within 3 months, assume the person does not wish to know the results. Document non-response in the patient notes and inform the CSPL, treating clinician and the person’s GP.
2. Offer declined
Document this in the patient notes and inform the CSPL, treating clinician and the person’s GP.
3. Offer declined for now, but reminder requested in 6 months
Log the reminder offer letter request, and inform the CSPL. Send a reminder offer letter after 6 months. There are 3 potential outcomes from sending an offer reminder letter.
No response to reminder
If no response received in 3 months – does duty of candour apply?
No
Document non-response in the patient notes and inform the CSPL, treating clinician and the person’s GP.
Yes
Send a second offer letter. If no response is received within 3 months, assume the person does not wish to know the results. Document non-response in the patient notes and inform the CSPL, treating clinician and the person’s GP.
Reminder offer declined
Document this in the patient notes and inform the CSPL, treating clinician and the person’s GP.
Reminder offer accepted
See section 4 below.
4. Offer accepted
Are there are findings from the audit?
No
Send ‘no findings’ letter A to the individual, copying in the CSPL, treating clinician and the person’s GP. (See the section on ‘being open and transparent’ in the guidance on disclosure of cervical screening history review results and applying duty of candour.)
Yes
The clinician:
- sends ‘findings’ letter B to the individual (see the section on ‘being open and transparent’ in the guidance on disclosure of cervical screening history review results and applying duty of candour)
- makes an appointment with the individual to discuss the findings, and informs the CSPL
- discloses audit results at the appointment, and documents the discussion in the individual’s notes
- sends a summary of the discussion to the individual, their GP, their treating clinician and the CSPL