Access CSMS
Guidance for NHS staff involved in cervical screening on how to get access and log in to the Cervical Screening Management System (CSMS).
To access CSMS, you will need:
- an NHS smartcard or Microsoft Authenticator
- correct access permissions on your Care Identity profile
- to complete CSMS online training (optional)
Follow the steps below to get set up on the system.
1. Check your Care Identity profile
You will log in to CSMS using your NHS smartcard. This is provided to you when you set up your Care Identity profile.
If you do not have a Care Identity follow the guidance on how to apply for a Care ID.
We recommend you log in to the Care Identity Management portal and make sure your contact details are correct in your Care Identity profile.
You can unlock your smartcard using a self-service tool if you have forgotten your passcode.
You can also access CSMS using Microsoft Authenticator instead of your smartcard.
2. Request CSMS access permissions
Access to CSMS is managed through your local registration authority service. This is the person or team who manages smartcard permissions in your organisation.
- a valid role-based access control (RBAC) code (that is, job role)
- your organisation’s ‘cervicalscreening’ workgroup (with the relevant ODS code)
Contact the person or team who manages smartcard permissions in your workplace (or your Registration Authority) and ask them to add the above CSMS access permissions to your profile.
Find your local Registration Authority if you do not know who to contact in your workplace.
Working at more than one organisation
You need the correct role and workgroup added to your smartcard for each organisation you work at. You should contact the person or team responsible for smartcard permissions at each organisation to do this.
If you work across a group of GP practices that are part of the same primary care network or GP federation, you usually only need an ODS code from one of these practices added to your smartcard to access all patient records registered to that group of practices.
3. Check your access
To make sure your CSMS access permissions are correct, try to log in to CSMS:
1. Insert your smartcard into the smartcard reader (if using this login method).
2. Visit https://cervicalscreening.nhs.uk.
3. Select Log in with my Care Identity.
4. Select your preferred login method (Smartcard or Authenticator app), click Continue and follow the instructions on screen.
If your Care Identity profile has been updated correctly, you will be able to choose a role to log in with.
5. Choose a role and press Continue.
You will now see the CSMS Patient Search page.
When you are finished, you must securely log out by clicking Logout at the top right of the page.
Closing the browser window or removing your smartcard from the reader will not log you out of CSMS.
4. Complete online training (optional)
All information you need to use CSMS can be found in Help using CSMS.
There are also 2 optional training modules you can complete to help familiarise you with the system.
Problems with access
Incorrect or missing access permissions
You will see an error message when you try to log in If you do not have the correct access permissions on your Care Identity profile.
Missing cervical screening role:
Missing cervical screening workgroup:
Technical problems
Contact your local IT team or the National Service Desk via the NHS England Customer Portal.
Last edited: 19 September 2025 10:49 am