Guidance

Cervical screening: accepting samples in laboratories

This is to help commissioners, sample takers and laboratories reduce errors associated with cervical screening sample requests.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

The purpose of this document is to improve the quality of service provided by the NHS Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP) by reducing the administrative and technical errors associated with cervical screening sample requests. It includes pathways, roles and responsibilities.

Implementing this guidance will reduce:

  • the risk of people receiving incorrect screening
  • the time taken for people to receive their cervical screening test results

Updates to this page

Published 3 April 2017
Last updated 4 July 2025 show all updates
  1. Rewording of several paragraphs in the introduction and section 6.6 to reflect extension of screening interval to 5 years.

  2. CSMS call and recall system updates.

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

  4. Amended section 6.3 to show women on routine recall taken more than 3 months ahead of schedule.

  5. Reviewed and revised in line with updated guidance on primary human papillomavirus (HPV) screening implementation.

  6. Reverted to previous version until updated version ready.

  7. Reviewed and revised in line with updated guidance on primary human papillomavirus (HPV) screening implementation.

  8. First published.

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