The NCSP Operational Policy and Quality Standards require that a lead colposcopy nurse is named at each colposcopy clinic.

Colposcopy nurses work in both public and private clinics and are important health practitioners working in the National Cervical Screening Programme in New Zealand.

Responsibilities of lead colposcopy nurses

Under Chapter 6 of the NCSP OP&QS, there are general requirements that colposcopy nurses should become familiar with and incorporate into their practice. 

Colposcopy nurses should attend multidiscipliary meetings with colposcopists, pathologists and other colposcopy staff, for regular discussions of cases.

The relevant policies in chapter 6 in summary are:

Support for Women Policy:  Colposcopy services must be available and appropriate to women.  For Maori women the Crown has duties and responsibilities to ensure improved health outcomes.  Colposcopy services are required to be appropriate and supportive of Pacific, Asian and women from other ethnic groups.

Providing Information to Women Policy:  An experienced nurse or social worker must be available to all women during and after the consultation. 

The relevant standards in chapter 6 in summary are:

Standard 610: The colposcopy service must ensure that there is one named lead clinic nurse who has gynaecology skills and experience and is without concurrent duties in other clinics.