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Cervical screening direct referral responsibilities

NHS England have issued an update to clarify what a practice should do when they receive a cervical smear result. There is now a system in place to directly refer on patients with abnormal smears to colposcopy. If a practice receives notification that a patient has not attended a colposcopy appointment they should directly contact the patient to ensure that the patient received the appointment and is aware of the reasons why it is important that they are followed up.

There will be occasions when the practice is contacted by a lab regarding a cervical smear. In such instances, NHS England advise that the practice responds promptly to any reasonable request.

Last updated : 20 Jul 2016

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