Latest news

December 2025

To help increase the accessibility of our screening programme information, new British Sign Language (BSL) videos have been developed and are now available on GOV.UK for the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. Based on the ‘Your guide to’ screening programme leaflets, these videos cover information on how the individual screening programmes work, who we offer screening to and why, what to expect at your appointment and with your results. The information is available at:

The videos complement existing accessible information for both screening programmes, including easy read guide BSP and easy read guide CSP and translations of the ‘Your guide to’ leaflets in 30 languages.

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Cervical Screening Programme E-Learning For Health

The Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) team has been working diligently to implement several important updates to the NHS Cervical Screening Programme e-learning for healthcare (elfh) training sessions. These include changes to screening intervals, the introduction of the transgender and non-binary opt-in, and broader enhancements to the programme.

 In parallel, the TEL team is moving the training to a new platform and ensuring full compliance with Government Digital Standards (GDS), which are vital for delivering digital services that are user-centred, efficient, and accessible. This commitment ensures that the training remains inclusive and user-friendly for all participants.

 As a result, these updates have taken longer to complete than initially anticipated and we are aware of feedback you may have received raising concerns about this. We are working closely with the TEL team and are aiming to have all sessions fully updated over the coming months. In the meantime, a message will be sent from elfh to all registered users to explain that updates are underway. 

The published national programme guidance is providing the correct information. The NHS Cervical Screening Programme webinar held on 12 June 2025 included information on the policy changes and is available on Futures.

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Thank you to those that were able to join the Cervical Update session on 17th September 2025. Please find the presentation slides following the session, the certificate of attendance is also available to download.

The collated Q&A document is also now available.

We look forward to welcoming you to part two of the cervical admin update session in January 2026. Details will follow nearer to the date.

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Submission of Cease Forms

CSAS have noticed an increase in GP practices using the incorrect submission method when submitting cease requests to CSAS. Practices should use the Cease / Opt Out (submitted by GP Practice / Colposcopy Clinic) on line submission form.

Can practices also be reminded they should be checking CSMS on a daily basis to complete their notifications (PNLs). Participants showing in the patients to be invited notifications can be invited, ceased or deferred. Information on how to complete the notifications can be found by clicking on this link.

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From September the NHS has begun sending results from the NHS Cervical Screening Programme, utilising the NHS App.

Those who have a negative test result will be notified of this by an NHS App message. It will also appear as an NHS App notification. If the NHS App message isn’t read within 72 hours, a letter will be sent as a failsafe.

Abnormal result letters will continue for the time being to be delivered by post.

This change follows the successful rollout of digital invitations and reminders in June 2025, where since the launch, 9 out of every 10 invitations are being sent digitally, with the remainder being sent by post.

Important actions and notes for providers:

  • From immediate effect, please can sample takers inform patients attending cervical screening that their results may be delivered via the NHS App.
  • We would be grateful for sample takers continued support in encouraging your patients to download the NHS App and turn on notifications: www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/
  • Laboratories will no longer be able to stop a result communication being issued to a participant, once these files have been accepted by CSMS.

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