Thursday, 15 January 2009

HPV Testing of Cervical Specimens - Reminder of Legislative Requirements

There has been an increase in clinicians requesting human papillomavirus (HPV) tests when managing women with an abnormal cervical result or history therefore it is timely to remind clinicians of their responsibilities under Part 4A of the Health Act 1956.

Clinicians requesting HPV tests on all specimens with a cervical component obtained either as part of a screening or diagnostic procedure or during a surgical procedure, are reminded that under Part 4A of the Health Act 1956 Section 112N, laboratories are required to forward the results of these tests to the National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP).

Additionally, under Section 112L and 112M, persons taking specimens for screening tests and persons performing colposcopic procedure have a duty to explain the procedure and to provide information to the woman regarding the NCSP and NCSP-Register, to the extent that is reasonable in the circumstances. This explanation includes who has access to information on the NCSP-Register and the uses to which that information may be put. Smear takers and colposcopists therefore need to advise women that the laboratory sends all cervical results, including HPV test results, to the Programme and these are entered onto the NCSP-Register. All women are automatically enrolled unless they formally withdraw.

Data on the NCSP-Register is regularly analysed and evaluated to improve the NCSP and further inform best practice for the management of women in the NCSP.