Guidance

Changes to this edition of the gynaecological cytopathology EQA scheme

Updated 26 September 2024

The EQA management board approved the following changes to this 11th edition of the NHS cervical screening programme (NHS CSP) gynaecological cytopathology EQA scheme.

Chapter 1 The EQA scheme

Section 1.3 EQA scheme enquiries – updated contact information

Chapter 2 Scheme roles and responsibilities 

Heading changed to reflect content of this chapter

Chapter 3 Governance

Section 3.3 EQA Management Board

Updated the EQA management board’s escalation route for major concerns about the scheme (see last bullet)

Section 3.4 National oversight

Updated the scheme’s accountability arrangements within NHS England

Chapter 4 Laboratory participation

Section 4.7 Confidentiality

Clarified the circumstances in which confidentiality (relating to a participant’s identity) may be broken by the scheme.

Chapter 8 The assessment

Section 8.1 Recording and submitting responses

Clarified the arrangements for participants who record and submit their responses using the manual form.

Clarified the sanctions for participants who do not follow the protocol when submitting responses using EQA Online.

Chapter 11 Assessment of performance

Section 11.5 Action points for persistent substandard performance

This update provides a detailed description of the steps taken by the scheme in relation to the first and second action points associated with instances of substandard performance in EQA assessments.

Chapter 12 Communication

Section 12.8 Annual report – updated the distribution list of recipients who receive the annual report