Cervical Cytology and Screening
Page Contents
Role of the Registered Nursing Associates in Cervical Cytology Screening
Role of cervical cytology mentor and assessor
Update requirements for trained sample takers
Returners to Sample taking after an extended period of absence
Cervical Screening Administration
Latest key updates – Important update to the cervical screening programme
Please refer to the attached letter from NHSE outlining changes to the cervical screening programme, as of July 2025.
Key points:
- extending screening intervals for 25-49 year olds from 1 July 2025
- digitalisation of cervical screening correspondence
From 1 July 2025, routine cervical screening intervals will be extended from 3 to 5 years for participants aged 25-49 who test negative after attending cervical screening on or after this date.
| NHS cervical screening programme- Extended screening intervals toolkit | Please see the attached Extended screening intervals toolkit, which can be used to support colleagues involved in delivering cervical screening to have conversations with women and people with a cervix, attending or booking their cervical screening appointments.
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Guidance for sample takers
NHS Cervical Screening Programme – Good practice guidance for sample takers
NHSEI-South-West-Primary-Care-Cervical-Screening-Resource-2022.pdf
Cervical screening: professional guidance – GOV.UK
Cervical screening care pathway – GOV.UK
Cervix chart for sample takers in primary care
Screening and management of immunosuppressed individuals – GOV.UK
Managing safety incidents in NHS screening programmes – GOV.UK
Extended Screening Interval Clinical Pathway Protocol.
Supporting people with learning disabilities to access cervical screening
Cervical screening: ideas for improving access and uptake – GOV.UK
Laboratory HPV testing and cytology services
Cytology reporting failsafe (primary HPV)
Colposcopy and programme management
Cervical screening: accepting samples in laboratories – GOV.UK
Role of the Registered Nursing Associates in Cervical Cytology Screening
The role of the registered nurse associate in cervical screening mirrors that of a registered nurse, in terms of training and competency requirements. The NA is not yet a named profession under the Treatment of Disease, Disorder or Injury (TDDI) legislation regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Therefore, when a NA has registered with the NMC, a registered professional listed under the legislation (registered nurse, GP or medical practitioner (they may be working in a sexual health clinic)) will need to supervise the practice of that NA.
Summary-
- This activity would need to be undertaken under supervision of a registered HCP on the TDDI list
- The supervisor must be present at the GP practice when the NA is carrying out the procedure.
- The supervisor can undertake indirect supervision of the NA when carrying out this procedure. This is a delegated activity, and the NA would be expected to work within the remits of their professional code. PHE Screening June 2019.
See Also the NMC publication Standards of proficiency for registered nursing associates – The Nursing and Midwifery Council
RCN Position Statement on Registered Nursing Associates (RNAs) training in cervical sample taking (England only)
Role of cervical cytology mentor and assessor
NHSE- Education Pathway (sections 3.5 and 3.22)- cervical screening mentors and assessors
Mentors and assessors must undertake a formal cervical screening update at least every 3 years as a practising sample taker (please see update requirements below)
Update requirements for trained sample takers
More information on the following points can be found on the PHE Education Pathway (Section 3.22).
NHSE elfh Hub Cervical sample taker update training meets the programme requirements for update training.
Returners to Sample taking after an extended period of absence
More information on the following points can be found on the PHE Education Pathway (Section 3.23).
Cervical Screening Administration
The Cervical Screening Administration Service (CSAS) supports the National Cervical Screening Programme by;
- Providing Prior Notification Lists (PNLs) of patients eligible for screening to GP practices
- Sending out call and recall letters to patients eligible for cervical screening tests
- Notifying patients of test results once we receive these from laboratories
Find out more about out screening administration support services provided to:
New NHS Cervical Screening Management System – NHS England Digital
Cervical screening: call and recall administration best practice – GOV.UK
Ceasing and deferring women from the NHS Cervical Screening Programme – GOV.UK
Cease/Defer/Reinstate/Gender Opt-In Support – NHS Cervical Screening Administration Service
Wessex LMCs’ Recommendations
- Nominate a lead clinician in the practice for cervical cytology who need not be a GP but should be an individual who has performed a significant number of cervical smears and up to date with training.
- The identified lead should cascade relevant information to all relevant clinicians and administrators within the practice.
- All clinicians who perform cervical cytology should ensure they are up to date, maintain their skills, reflect on their inadequate rate and make changes as necessary.
- Training for all HCP professionals undertaking cervical screening should be appropriate and of high quality and meet with the national recommendations.
If you need more information or support, we recommend that you contact:
MacMillan Cancer Support; Support Line: 0808 808 00 00
Eve Appeal; Ask Eve Helpline 0808 802 0019
Training Guidance and Support
Local training hub contact details-
HIOW- primarycareschooltvw.se@hee.nhs.uk
Dorset– traininghub@ourdorset.nhs.uk
BSW- bswicb.traininghub@nhs.net
Wessex LMCs– For training and education queries only lead@wessexlmcs.org.uk
Third Party Training Providers
Wessex LMCs do not provide cervical training specifically, but a full list of third party training providers can be found here – Wessex LMCs: Third Party Training & Events – The Nursing Team .
Please do not contact Wessex LMCs about these training events & programmes. These are just being advertised here for your information.