Cervical Screening Programme, England - 2023-2024 [NS]

With the implementation of HPV primary screening into the NHS cervical screening programme, the pathway for patients was redefined. 

Those who have a negative HPV test result are returned to routine screening or follow-up as appropriate and no further tests are carried out on the sample.

Those who have a hrHPV positive screen with a cytology negative result, will be recalled in 12 months for a further screen. If the 12 month screen is also hrHPV positive and cytology negative then they are recalled after a further 12 months when a third consecutive hrHPV positive test with any cytology result will cause a referral to colposcopy.

Those who have a hrHPV positive screen with cytology abnormal result are referred to colposcopy. Those with 2 consecutive HPV unavailable or cytology inadequate results will also be referred to colposcopy.

For further details see the quality statement.

Following the implementation of HPV primary screening (2019), there was no need to continue with HPV triage screening.  This was where samples were first examined under a microscope for signs of cytological abnormality. Where a test result showed borderline change or low-grade dyskaryosis (abnormal cell changes), the sample was then tested for infection with hrHPV (Human Papillomavirus).

An inadequate sample result can be assigned following a test outcome of either HPV unavailable or cytology inadequate.

Individuals who have an inadequate sample are either tested again or referred to colposcopy.

Colposcopy referrals are made following either:

• 2 consecutive HPV unavailable or cytology inadequate screening tests in any combination (under HPV primary screening).
• Third consecutive HPV positive ending with inadequate cytology.

The proportion of inadequate samples has fallen since the introduction of Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) in 2004-05.

In 2023-24, 0.7% of all samples were inadequate and in 2022-23, 0.5% of all samples were inadequate.

Compared to the previous year, the proportion of inadequate samples increased in both the younger age groups (25-49) and the older age groups (50-69).

The chart below shows the proportion of inadequate samples in all age bands for 2022-23 and 2023-2024.
 

In 2023-2024, for individuals aged 25 to 64, the inadequate sample rate for England was 0.7%.  Individual laboratory rates ranged from 0.3% to 1.1% (see table 19). 

In 2023-2024, for individuals aged 25 to 64:

• 95.3% of samples were reported as being negative. A negative result can be either:
  • hrHPV negative
  • hrHPV positive and cytology negative
• 2.4% of tests were reported as low-grade dyskaryosis.
• 1.4% of tests were found to have borderline changes.
• Those below the age of 30 were amongst those most likely to have an abnormal test result (see data table 15), however, this is due to a higher rate of low grade (borderline and low grade dyskaryosis) results rather than more significant abnormalities.  This profile is consistent with expectations for those aged 25-29 years, due to the effect of HPV vaccinations in this age group.

* ?invasive carcinoma means ‘suspected invasive carcinoma’, ?glandular neoplasia (endocervical) means ‘suspected glandular neoplasia of endocervical type’
NB. The sum of components may not equal totals due to rounding.
Source: KC61, NHS England. See data table 15.

The percentage of laboratory tests authorised (test confirmed) within 2 weeks was 94.9% in 2023-2024, higher than the 87.5%  as seen in 2022-2023. 

Prior to 2016-17 the percentage authorised within 2 weeks had been above 90% since 2010-11.

The increase in time to authorisation of reports occurred in the preparation for HPV primary screening and has been generally improving since. The lead up to implementation affected capacity in laboratories due to reduced workforce. Further details can be found in Appendix J.

Regional versions of the chart above are available in the interactive report accompanying this publication.

There are 2 main colposcopy referral groups

Standards

The distribution of individual laboratory results is used by the programme for quality assurance purposes in monitoring performance.
Where laboratories fall outside specified ranges (standards) there is a requirement to investigate the reason(s) for this.

The standards that laboratories are required to adhere to are outlined in cervical screening programme standards.

There are 3 key values used for assessing laboratories which are summarised below with further details available in Appendix B. Values should be considered alongside other information rather than in isolation.

For standards, when a laboratory is outside the range (see table below) this may require further investigation. Prior to the screening year ending in March 2022, PPV and APV standards were measured by calculating a 5% to 95% ‘acceptable’ range annually from the rates for all laboratories. As there are now only 8 laboratories, this is no longer an appropriate method to calculate a standard range. Whilst the method for calculating a standard is being reviewed, the range will be reported. The programme will continue to monitor trends in the PPV and APV but will not apply a standard.

* The percentile ranges for the PPV, RV and APV indicators are calculated using data from the previous year (KC61, Part C2). For example, the PPV for 2022-2023 is based on data from 2021-2022.
See Appendix B for definitions of PPV, RV and APV and see Appendix E on Outcomes of Gynaecological Referrals for further information about cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN).
NB: Individuals with negative cytology but who test positive for HPV and are referred to colposcopy are not currently included in the calculation of referral value. See Appendix B – Definitions for more information.
Source: KC61, NHS England. See Data Table 19a

Inadequate samples

Prior to the screening year ending in March 2021, this standard was measured by calculating a 5% to 95% ‘acceptable’ range annually from the rates for all laboratories. As there are now only 8 laboratories, this is no longer an appropriate method to calculate a standard range. Whilst the method for calculating a standard is being reviewed, the range will be reported. The programme will continue to monitor trends in the rate of inadequate cytology tests but will not apply a standard.

** Based on results for individuals aged 25 to 64 tested in GP and NHS community clinics only.

The full range of values is shown as there is only data for 8 laboratories.

Source: KC61, NHS England. See data table 19