Research and analysis

Young person and adult screening KPI data: Q1 summary factsheets (1 April to 30 June 2021)

Updated 23 March 2023

Applies to England

Please be aware that this data covers the time period through the COVID-19 pandemic. Provider performance should therefore be interpreted with caution.

In addition, some providers were justifiably not able to make timely data returns or validate their data in this period. We recommend looking at the historical trend data of services before the COVID-19 pandemic to help interpret the data.

This report should be read in conjunction with the full KPI data tables published each quarter.

1. Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening

1.1 KPI AA2: coverage – initial screen

National performance of AA2 in Q1 was 5.3%. AA2 is an annual indicator and quarterly figures are cumulative from Q1 to Q4. England performance is shown in the trend graph below.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus response and restoration of screening this KPI has been impacted. Performance against the KPI has been affected by:

  • providers restarted primary screening
  • increased appointment lengths
  • access to venues
  • availability of screening staff

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period 1 April to 30 June 2021
Numerator 16,789
Denominator 314,938
Performance 5.3%
Completeness of data 100%
Region Performance %
London 1.5%
Midlands and East 4.8%
North 3.6%
South 9.8%
England 5.3%

1.2 KPI AA3: coverage – annual surveillance scan

National performance of AA3 up to 31 March 2021 is shown in the trend graph below.

Publication of regional and provider level data for AA3 has been withdrawn for Q1 due to impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on screening activity that occurred during this time period.

1.3 KPI AA4: coverage – quarterly surveillance scan

National performance of AA4 was withdrawn from publication in Q1 and Q2 2020 to 2021 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on screening activity. The trend graph below shows that England AA4 in Q1 2021 to 2022 was 93.5%, higher than the previous 2 quarters and above the acceptable threshold of 90%.

33 out of 38 screening services met the acceptable threshold, and 21 of those met the achievable threshold of 95%.

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period 1 April to 30 June 2021
Numerator 2,535
Denominator 2,711
Performance 93.5%
Completeness of data 100%
Region Performance %
London 83.0%
Midlands and East 95.9%
North 92.5%
South 93.6%
England 93.5%

2. Diabetic eye screening

2.1 KPI DE1: uptake – routine digital screening

National performance of DE1 in Q1 was 74.1%, higher than the previous 3 quarters. The trend graph below shows that England DE1 performance has dropped below the acceptable threshold of 75% in the last 4 quarters. All 57 screening services submitted data. DE1 is an annual rolling figure.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus response and restoration of screening this KPI may be impacted. Local services should highlight this with their commissioners where they consider that this KPI has been impacted by the COVID-19 response.

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period 1 April to 30 June 2021
Numerator 1,506,832
Denominator 2,032,996
Performance 74.1%
Completeness of data 100%
Region Performance %
London 73.8%
Midlands and East 70.1%
North 73.4%
South 80.9%
England 74.1%

2.2 KPI DE2: test – timeliness of results letters

National performance of DE2 in Q1 was 99.0%, higher than the previous quarter. The trend graph below shows that England DE2 performance has remained above the achievable threshold of 95% since 1 October 2018. All 57 screening services submitted data. All services met the acceptable threshold of 70% and 55 met the achievable threshold of 95%.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus response and restoration of screening this KPI may be impacted. Local services should highlight this with their commissioners where they consider that this KPI has been impacted by the COVID-19 response.

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period 1 April to 30 June 2021
Numerator 589,409
Denominator 595,181
Performance 99.0%
Completeness of data 100%
Region Performance %
London 99.7%
Midlands and East 99.6%
North 97.6%
South 99.6%
England 99.0%

2.3 KPI DE3: intervention/treatment – timely consultation for people with diabetes who are screen positive

National performance of DE3 in Q1 was 69.5%, lower than the previous 2 quarters. The trend graph below shows that England DE3 performance has remained below the acceptable threshold of 80% since 1 April 2018. All 57 screening services submitted data and 17 met the acceptable threshold.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus response and restoration of screening this KPI may be impacted. Local services should highlight this with their commissioners where they consider that this KPI has been impacted by the COVID-19 response.

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period 1 April to 30 June 2021
Numerator 1,987
Denominator 2,857
Performance 69.5%
Completeness of data 100%
Region Performance %
London 69.5%
Midlands and East 69.6%
North 70.1%
South 68.7%
England 69.5%

3. Bowel cancer screening

3.1 KPI BCS1: uptake

National performance of BCS1 in Q1 was 69.0%, lower than the previous quarter. Publication of BCS1 was withdrawn for Q1 2020 to 2021 due to the impact of COVID-19 on screening activity. The trend graph below shows that England BCS1 performance has remained above the acceptable threshold of 52% since 1 April 2018.

Out of 64 screening services, 63 of them met the acceptable threshold and 58 met the achievable threshold of 60%.

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period 1 April to 30 June 2021
Numerator 1,108,588
Denominator 1,606,176
Performance 69.0%
Completeness of data 100%
Region Performance %
Eastern 70.3%
London 59.1%
Midlands and North West 68.0%
North East 70.9%
Southern 71.6%
England 69.0%

3.2 KPI BCS2: coverage

National performance of BCS2 in Q4 was 65.0%, the highest published level recorded for this KPI. BCS2 is available 6 months (2 quarters) in arrears. The trend graph below shows England BCS2 performance since 1 April 2018. There are no thresholds set for this KPI.

Coverage ranged from 59.5% in London to 68.2% in the South.

Quarter 4 performance

Reporting period 1 January to 31 March 2021
Numerator 5,323,379
Denominator 8,187,236
Performance 65.0%
Completeness of data 100%
Region Performance %
London 59.5%
Midlands and East 64.9%
North 64.3%
South 68.2%
England 65.0%

4. Breast screening

4.1 KPI BS1: uptake

National performance of BS1 in Q1 was 55.7%. The England trend graph below shows that publication of this KPI was withdrawn from Q1 to Q4 2020 to 2021 as there were issues with data quality due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on screening services.

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period 1 April to 30 June 2021
Numerator 413,374
Denominator 742,139
Performance 55.7%
Completeness of data 100%
Region Performance %
London 46.0%
Midlands and East 56.3%
North 56.6%
South 59.6%
England 55.7%

4.2 KPI BS2: uptake – screening round length

National performance of BS2 in Q1 was 20.8%. The England trend graph below shows that publication of this KPI was withdrawn from Q1 to Q4 2020 to 2021 as there were issues with data quality due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on screening services.

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period 1 April to 30 June 2021
Numerator 110,676
Denominator 530,885
Performance 20.8%
Completeness of data 100%
Region Performance %
London 14.4%
Midlands and East 21.8%
North 15.3%
South 28.2%
England 20.8%

5. Cervical screening

5.1 KPI CS1: coverage under 50 years

National performance of CS1 in Q1 was 69.2%, higher than the previous 3 quarters. The trend graph below shows that CS1 performance has remained below the acceptable threshold of 80% since 1 April 2018.

On April 1 2021, 38 clinical commissioning groups (CCG) merged creating 9 new ones, resulting in a total of 106 CCGs in England. None of the 106 CCGs met the acceptable threshold.

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period 1 April to 30 June 2021
Numerator 7,130,203
Denominator 10,306,664
Performance 69.2%
Completeness of data 100%
Region Performance %
London 61.0%
Midlands and East 70.9%
North 71.6%
South 72.0%
England 69.2%

5.2 KPI CS2: coverage 50 years and above

National performance of CS2 in Q1 was 75.1%, higher than the previous 2 quarters. The trend graph below shows that CS2 performance has remained below the acceptable threshold of 80% since 1 April 2018.

On April 1 2021, 38 CCGs merged creating 9 new ones, resulting in a total of 106 CCGs in England. None of the 106 CCGs met the acceptable threshold.

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period 1 April to 30 June 2021
Numerator 3,926,473
Denominator 5,230,720
Performance 75.1%
Completeness of data 100%
Region Performance %
London 71.6%
Midlands and East 75.8%
North 75.4%
South 75.8%
England 75.1%