Guidance

Cervical screening: cytology reporting failsafe (primary HPV)

Guidelines covering primary HPV and primary cytology screening pathways, to avoid and manage errors (or missed screens) during the cervical screening process.

Documents

Cervical screening: cytology reporting failsafe (primary HPV)

Appendix 1: failsafe overview (primary HPV)

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Appendix 2: cervical screening result and action codes (primary HPV)

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Appendix 3: example failsafe enquiry letter: colposcopy (primary HPV)

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Appendix 4: example failsafe enquiry letter: GP (primary HPV)

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Appendix 1: failsafe overview (primary cytology)

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@phe.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Appendix 2: cervical screening result and action codes (primary cytology)

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@phe.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Appendix 3: example failsafe enquiry letter: colposcopy (primary cytology)

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@phe.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Appendix 4: example failsafe enquiry letter: GP (primary cytology)

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@phe.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

Commissioners, providers and healthcare professionals should use these guidelines to help avoid and manage errors or missed screens.

Two versions of this guidance are currently in use:

  • ‘Cervical screening: cytology reporting failsafe (primary HPV)’ - with 4 related appendices
  • ‘Cervical screening: cytology reporting failsafe (primary cytology) - with 4 related appendices

Refer to the correct version of the guidance depending on whether primary HPV screening has been implemented or not.

The guidance covers:

  • the failsafe process
  • the role of the screening commissioner
  • call and recall
  • failsafe in primary care
  • laboratory failsafe
  • colposcopy clinics
  • cervical screening provider leads
Published 1 December 2004
Last updated 17 July 2019 + show all updates
  1. Added pre-existing guidance for the primary cytology screening pathway.

  2. We have updated this guidance to reflect the implementation of the primary HPV screening pathway.

  3. Updated guidance from 2004.

  4. First published.