Impact assessment

Cervical screening: HPV self-sampling equality impact assessment

Equality impact assessment of the use of human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling for under-screened populations within the NHS Cervical Screening Programme.

• From: Department of Health and Social Care
• Published: 24 July 2025

Documents

Equality impact assessment: the use of HPV self-sampling in under-screened people eligible for NHS cervical screening

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Details

In March 2025, the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) recommended the use of HPV self-sampling (self-testing) in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme for those who delay attending screening by more than 6 months, or who never attend.

This equality impact assessment covers:

• the intended aims of HPV self-sampling
• the evidence supporting the UK NSC recommendation
• an analysis of impacts on people and groups with protected characteristics
• discussion of the engagement process informing the recommendation
• a summary of the analysis

Published 24 July 2025