A CHARITY has called for a rapid overhaul of the system that manages cervical cancer screening in Scotland so women do not miss what can be a potentially life-saving procedure.

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust made the call in response to the findings of a review of screening services which identified weaknesses in the way the system manages exclusions from regular tests.

The review was commissioned by the Scottish Government after an audit identified two women were mistakenly excluded from the national screening programme and subsequently developed cervical cancer.

Both women had undergone a subtotal hysterectomy and had been excluded from further tests in error.

This comes as the Glasgow Times continues its Don’t Fear the Smear campaign to tackle the staggeringly low uptake of cervical screening tests across the city.

Under the existing system, women can be legitimately excluded from screening for a number of reasons, meaning they would not be called for any further tests.

The focus of the review, carried out by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, was on how the system inviting women to be screened manages exclusions to identify where improvements can be made.

The review observed a “very committed workforce” but also identified “longstanding weaknesses” in the management of exclusions and what was termed as “a failure to fully recognise the risks” relating to exclusions.

It made 18 recommendations on how to improve the system, including a review and revision of the nationally agreed procedures for cervical screening and putting in place “a clearly documented process” for the management and application of exclusions.

The review also recommended a review of national governance arrangements for cervical screening “as a matter of urgency to ensure they are robust, responsive and person-centred”.

It further recommended the implementation of a formalised quality management system to support “a consistent and co-ordinated approach to delivering high-quality cervical screening services”.

 

Iona Stoddart, deputy head of information at Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “This report is very welcome and the recommendations will ensure the programme is more suited to individual patient needs, and is as effective and safe as possible.

“We urge for them to be swiftly implemented. Cervical screening can stop cervical cancer before it starts so it is an incredibly important test.”

Dr Karin Denton, the independent chair of the review, said: “It’s important that confidence in the system for calling women to be screened remains high.

“Our review identified a hard-working and committed workforce, but also long-standing weaknesses in the system that need to be addressed to ensure that everyone eligible for a cervical screening test is called.

“We are confident that the recommendations in this report, if implemented, will help to ensure that the system meets the needs of women in Scotland.”