
Regional cytology lab for cervical cancer screening un-equipped to operate HPV testing
Health committee members have now called for answers from health officials over the transfer of HPV testing to Belfast last year, despite a dedicated site not being ready for use.The Public Health Agency has said that the contract was awarded to Belfast Trust following a 'robust expression of interest process'.Since Belfast Trust began running the testing service in November 2024 cytology staff have been sharing the Trust's virology laboratory to process the tests.In the first few months around 5000 tests also had to be sent to a laboratory in Gateshead to help clear a massive backlog.The Belfast Trust said that the current set up is having 'no impact on the day-to-day processes of cytology testing for HPV.'It is understood that the initial backlog in processing results has been considerably reduced and waiting times for test results have also fallen.Northern Ireland's cervical screening programme has been under intense scrutiny after a highly critical report into cervical screening at the Southern Health Trust found women, including two who had died, had been failed over many years.After the scandal it was decided to centralise all screening within one laboratory in Northern Ireland.Belfast Trust won the contract, even though it had never before carried out HPV testing, unlike the Western Health Trust and the Northern Trust, who also applied to deliver the regional service.Stormont Health Committee member Diane Dodds told UTV she was 'appalled' to hear that the HPV testing service was still not operating in a dedicated laboratory. The DUP MLA added: 'We know that when we decided to set up regional HPV testing that two trusts already had accreditation, that the recommendation was that (the service) should be over two sites, yet the Public Health Agency have gone ahead and centralised in the Belfast Trust, which isn't accredited and hasn't got a properly functioning laboratory.'That's really letting women down. We need a screening programme that women can have full confidence in.'UTV has spoken to several sources who have described the current working conditions within the virology lab as 'cramped'. They said that cytology staff are frustrated at the delay in moving to the dedicated laboratory.This is not the first time questions have arisen over the HPV testing service.When the contract was given to Belfast Trust two senior medics involved in Northern Ireland's cervical screening programme, resigned over their concerns about the service.In their resignation letter the two health care professionals said the Public Health Agency had ignored their misgivings, which included creating the new centralised cervical screening facility in the Belfast Health Trust.The PHA, which provides oversight of the screening programme, said that HPV testing will be located on the same site with cervical cytology. The health body said that the current arrangement 'is not uncommon and is recognised as acceptable practice within the NHS England guidance for primary HPV implementation guidance.'The PHA added: 'The Belfast Trust was awarded the contract for the regional cervical screening laboratory following a robust expression of interest process which considered Trust submissions against a range of key criteria.'The Belfast Trust scored highest in this process and was awarded the contract.'The PHA also said it expects accreditation for HPV testing to be formalised 'following resolution of a small number of minor findings.'

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What we know about the new NHS cervical screening guidelines
New NHS guidelines in England will invite women aged 25-49 with negative HPV tests to cervical screenings every five years instead of every three, starting next month. The change follows recommendations from the UK National Screening Committee and aligns England's screening intervals with those of Wales and Scotland. Analysis from King's College London indicates that extending the screening interval to five years for HPV-negative women maintains a similar rate of cancer detection as the current three-year interval. Health Minister Ashley Dalton stated the change aims to increase testing opportunities for women with HPV while extending screening intervals for those with negative tests, emphasising early detection and treatment. Experts encourage women to attend screenings when invited, with the NHS implementing measures like phone reminders to improve participation, while Cancer Research UK highlights the impact of screening and HPV vaccination on reducing cervical cancer rates.


The Independent
12 hours ago
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New NHS guidelines mean younger women could have fewer cervical screenings
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North Wales Chronicle
13 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Younger women could have cervical screening every five years instead of three
The changes mean that, from next month, women aged 25 to 49 in England who are negative for human papillomavirus (HPV) will receive screening invites every five years. The move has been recommended by the UK National Screening Committee and is based on analysis from King's College London showing five-yearly screening is just as safe as three-yearly, with the same number of cancers found. HPV is a sexually-transmitted group of viruses which cause no symptoms. Around 13 high-risk types of HPV are known to cause 99.7% of all cervical cancers. As at present, any woman who has HPV or has a recent history of HPV will continue to be invited to more frequent screenings to check the virus has cleared and, if not, to check for cell changes in the cervix. In a written statement to Parliament, health minister Ashley Dalton said the new change 'increases the opportunities to test and recall women and people with a cervix who have HPV, while extending the cervical screening intervals from three to five years in England for individuals who have a negative HPV test. 'This will bring England's cervical screening intervals in line with those of Wales and Scotland.' She said the NHS screening programme in England provides all women between the ages of 25 and 64 'with the opportunity to be screened routinely to detect HPV infection or cervical abnormalities at an early, more treatable stage'. She added: 'The aim of the programme is to reduce the number of women who develop invasive cervical cancer and reduce the number who die from it.' Ms Dalton said testing negative for HPV means the chances of developing cancer within five years are very small, as it can take around 10 years or more from the time HPV is detected to developing cervical cancer. She added: 'Those who test positive for HPV are already being followed up with yearly testing. 'This is important to ensure that individuals are monitored for any early signs of cervical abnormalities and provided the necessary treatment.' Experts have been concerned about falling numbers of women under 50 attending cervical screening, with around a third in England not taking up their invitations. Dr Sue Mann, NHS national clinical director for women's health, said: 'Taking a more personalised approach to cervical screening will help ensure everyone eligible can make the most of these life-saving services, while sparing women appointments that they don't need. 'The NHS is following robust evidence on how often women need to be safely screened, and by putting invitations and reminders straight in women's pockets on their phones, we're making it easier than ever to take up screening appointments. 'Make sure you come forward for your screening when you're invited, even if it was weeks, months or years ago. If you think you are due but have not yet had an invitation, speak to your GP practice.' Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: 'We welcome this change to cervical screening in England, which is the result of years of vital research to make screening more effective and has shown it is safe to extend the time between tests. 'Screening, alongside the roll out of the HPV vaccine – which Cancer Research UK scientists helped develop – have seen cervical cancer rates drop by around a quarter since the early 1990s, and we look forward to even more progress. 'If you notice any unusual changes for you, do not wait for a screening invitation – speak to your doctor.' Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of the Eve Appeal, said: 'We want every eligible person to feel empowered to attend a vaccination and cervical screening appointment when they are invited so we can achieve the brilliant ambition of eliminating cervical cancer.'