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Guidance

Cervical screening: gynaecological cytopathology EQA scheme

The external quality assessment (EQA) scheme for gynaecological cytopathology in the NHS cervical screening programme.

From:
NHS England
Published:
23 March 2016
Last updated:
8 October 2026 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

Gynaecological cytopathology EQA scheme

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Changes to this edition of the gynaecological cytopathology EQA scheme

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Details

This guidance outlines the external quality assessment (EQA) scheme for gynaecological cytopathology.

It provides information about:

  • EQA scheme design
  • interpretation of results
  • requirements and responsibilities for participants
  • principles and methodology of operation

This scheme is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to ISO 17043. The Proficiency Testing Provider number is 7597.

Updates to this page

Last updated:
8 October 2026
Show all updates

  1. Updates reflected on summary of changes page

  2. 12th edition of the NHS cervical screening programme gynaecological cytopathology EQA scheme. Changes as summarised in the 'Changes to this edition of the gynaecological cytopathology EQA scheme' page. Referral sheet, scoring matrices, performances examples with action points and amalgamation of grades files PDFs now embedded within the main guidance.

  3. Added clarification that publication was originally published by Public Health England.

  4. ##Chapter 1 The EQA scheme Section 1.3 EQA scheme enquiries – updated contact information ##Chapter 2 Scheme roles and responsibilities  ##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

  5. Updated 1.3 Enquiries and 3.4 National oversight sections. Added details of the changes to 'Changes to this edition of the gynaecological cytopathology EQA scheme'.

  6. Updated to reflect various changes to this edition of the gynaecological cytopathology EQA scheme.

  7. Eligibility criteria extended in section 2.2 for recruitment of a scheme organiser.

  8. Updated 11th edition of guidance and removed unnecessary illustrations.

  9. Updated guidance with 10th edition.

  10. Ninth edition of guidance published March 2018.

  11. Eighth edition, September 2017.

  12. Seventh edition, published April 2017.

  13. First published.

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