Cervical Screening Quality Assurance
The aim of the NHS Cervical Screening programme is to identify changes in the cells of the cervix, which may develop into cancer. Cell changes detected at this stage can be monitored, and treated if necessary and most women will have no further problems. Pre cancer changes are asymptomatic and therefore difficult to detect. Regular screening of the cervix using a smear test is an ideal way to monitor the health of the cervix.
Purpose of Quality Assurance
The NHSCSP published national quality assurance guidelines for the cervical screening programme in 1996, and has a regional system of quality assurance which includes:
- A quality assurance director for cervical screening
- Identification of lead professionals to oversee coordination of audit in each area of professional activity in the cervical screening programme
- Review of the performance of the screening programme against national quality standards
- Participation in external quality assessment schemes
- An administrative structure including a quality assurance reference centre to coordinate professional activity, statistical returns, and liaison with national activities
- Development of training programmes within the region and support of training efforts in each laboratory and regional cytology training schools
- Liaison with regional cancer registries to identify and audit cases of invasive cervical cancer to evaluate the effectiveness of the screening programme
Regional quality assurance coordinating groups have been established. Each region is represented on the national quality assurance coordinating groups for each of the four main areas of activity in the cervical screening programme. These groups cover health authority activities, laboratories, colposcopy and primary care.
Their remit is to:
- Set quality assurance standards
- Monitor and review performance against these quality assurance standards
- Identify training needs and advise on how they should be met
- Identify research needs
- Advise the programme on professional matters
All our reports and resources are available in
Cervical Screening