Cervical Screening
National screening programme
The National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) administer the cervical screening programme.
See HealthPathways: Cervical Screening for more information.
New patients
If the patient is new to the practice, check:
- transferred notes for any previous cervical screening results
- any history of cervical cancer, hysterectomy, or recent screening elsewhere
- that the correct screening codes have been recorded
- that the recall interval is correct.
Enrolling patients
- The practice
invites all eligible patients for cervical screening. - Help the patient choose the most appropriate screening option.
- Record their consent (verbal or written) in the patient notes.
- Update the patient's cervical screening registration status (opt in/out or ineligible) in Indici.
- If a patient has opted off the cervical cancer screening programme, this must be clearly documented in their notes and added as a classification. To add classification, search ‘cervical cancer screening refused' and add to the long-term problems. Highlight this entry and annotate with 'OPT OFF date of discussion with patient'. Complete recall as 'Declined'. Do not reset recall.
Encourage patients who wish to opt out to complete the form: Request to Withdraw from the National Screening Programme.
- Record the reason for declining in the PMS.
Patients may choose a different screening provider.
See also Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand: The National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) HPV Primary Screening, and HPV Primary Screening in General Practice for more guidance.
Results and recalls
Clinicians are responsible for informing patients of results. Recalls are managed using the recall procedure.
Recall intervals are determined by screening results, history, and examination, and will be decided by a clinician.
The practice can also check a patient's screening status through the PHO Cervical Screening status report generated by the NCSP.