Cervical screening

On this page GP practices can find the North West London Cervical Screening Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

The document aims to standardise the delivery of the national screening programme by outlining the responsibilities of sample takers in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP), promoting good practice consistent with national policy, detailing training requirements, and setting out roles and responsibilities of general practices.

The document was ratified by Primary Care Executive Board in April 2025.

Download the: North West London Primary Care Cervical Screening Standard Operating Procedure 

Download: summary notes to go with the above SOP

The comprehensive guidance document ambition is enhancing the cervical screening services in the region. It emphasises the importance of increasing screening uptake, particularly among younger women, minority ethnic groups, and those with a history of non-attendance.

Every practice within North West London will support the NHSCSP by offering screening to those patients who are eligible and by adhering to the referenced guidance.

General practice is responsible for encouraging individuals to attend for screening and taking cervical cytology samples, actions are set out below.

• Add a flag to patient records when a screening is due and ensure patient is informed at the next appropriate visit
• Clinicians should promote the benefits of screening
• Provide reception and administration staff with appropriate up to date training and be informed of any changes to the screening programme
• Target under represented population groups or communities
• Participate and promote national and local screening awareness campaigns
• Conduct appointment call and recall at appropriate intervals
• Use and manage prior notification lists (PNL) to support call/recall
• Follow failsafe processes outlined in the SOP
• Ensure patients receive their results and appropriate follow up takes place
• Performed the screening test following cervical screening guidelines and its associated documentation
• Ensure safe transport of screening specimens to the cytology laboratory