Guidance

Breast screening: failsafe batches

The specification and selection of failsafe batches in the NHS Breast Screening Programme for use by screening office managers and staff.

• From: NHS England
• Published: 25 February 2019
• Last updated: 29 July 2025 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

NHS Breast Screening Programme: Failsafe batch guidance

Ref: PHE publications gateway number: GW-206

PDF, 574 KB, 14 pages

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Details

This document clarifies the process of running failsafe batches to identify eligible women who have not been invited for screening.

All breast screening services must specify and select routine failsafe batches monthly between day 13 and day 17 of every month.

Published 25 February 2019

Last updated 29 July 2025 + show all updates

1. 29 July 2025

   Changed lead organisation from Public Health England to NHS England.

2. 25 February 2019

   First published.