Cervical screening: escalation process for non-submission of evidence
Updated 10 October 2024
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The screening service should provide evidence to the screening quality assurance service (SQAS) at least 10 weeks before the QA visit date.
SQAS should follow the escalation process below if evidence has not been provided by 9 weeks before the visit. The process is described below in text format and as an illustration.
1. Send reminder to professional area lead
SQAS sends reminder to professional area lead 9 weeks before QA visit date.
2. Is evidence received by 8 weeks minus one day before visit?
Yes: Evidence used at QA visit. End of pathway
No: Send second reminder to professional area lead at 8 weeks minus one day before visit date, giving an absolute deadline of responding by 7 weeks before visit date. Contact cervical screening provider lead by phone and follow up by email, quoting the absolute deadline. Go to question 3.
3. Is evidence received by 7 weeks minus 2 days before visit?
Yes: Evidence used at QA visit. End of pathway.
No: If proforma or outstanding evidence is not received by the absolute deadline, SQAS should inform the medical director and the cervical screening provider lead within 48 hours of the missed deadline. Also inform the commissioner and the screening and immunisation team (SIT).
Make an immediate recommendation at the QA visit that the programme should provide the outstanding information, or confirmation it does not exist within 7 days, along with an agreed date for discussion with SQAS. End of pathway.
