Policies and Standards

The NCSP Policies and Standards document the agreed policies, standards and guidelines for providers of National Cervical Screening Programme services.

Information on our website about the HPV screening programme is currently in the process of being updated. Please be aware that the below information may be outdated as we transition to new HPV primary screening process. Our team is working hard to ensure the most accurate and up to date details are made available. We anticipate having this new information live by the end of June.

Their purpose is to support all those involved in the NCSP to achieve the Programme's aims and objectives by ensuring a high standard and national consistency of service at each step of the screening pathway.

The Policies and Standards also enable monitoring and evaluation of the Programme.

The NCSP Policies and Standards are published as independent sections relating to provider groups.

Section 1: NCSP overview

Is relevant to all provider groups- Revised September 2014

Section 2: Providing an NCSP Register service

Encompasses both the central NCSP Register functions as provided by the Register Central Team and support services provided within DHBs. - Revised March 2015

Section 3: Cervical Screening Services

Covers information, policies and standards of practice for cervical sample takers and providers of cervical screening services - Revised September 2021

Section 5: Providing a laboratory service

Covers the provision of gynaecological cytology, histology and HPV testing services for the NCSP - Revised May 2021

Section 6: Providing a colposcopy service

Relates to health professionals providing a colposcopy service - Revised July 2013

Glossary

Glossary for the Operational Policy and Quality Standards Manual

Cancer Registry Act 1993

The Cancer Registry Act 1993 was enacted to make better provision for the compilation of a statistical record of the incidence of cancer in its various forms, to provide a basis for the better direction of programmes for research and for cancer prevention.

The Health (Cervical Screening (Kaitiaki)) Regulations 1995

The National Kaitiaki Group was established in 1995 by the Minister of Health under these regulations. The group is appointed by, and accountable to, the Minister of Health.