Primary Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Screening project update

In September 2016, the National Screening Unit (NSU) held two scientific meetings on the proposed changes in Auckland and Christchurch. The meetings were well attended and provided health professionals and members of the public with an opportunity to ask questions about the proposed changes. Thank you to those of who took time out of your day to come to these meetings.

The Ministry released a consultation document In September on proposed clinical guidelines for the future primary HPV screening based screening programme. Submissions closed on 28 October and 33 submissions were received on the guidelines. Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit their feedback.

The guidelines group has considered the feedback and is making changes to the draft guidelines. These changes focus on sections of the guidelines relating to the management of abnormal bleeding and management of glandular lesions.

The guidelines group comprises:

• Dr Ai ling Tan
• Dr Lois Eva
• Dr Narena Dudley
• Dr Lynda Croft
• Dr Kathryn Payne
• Georgina McPherson
• Dr Nicole Smith
• Dr Gary Fentiman
• Dr Harold Neal.

The NSU intends to publish a summary of submissions and our response early next year. The guidelines are likely to be finalised in February 2017 and will be released to the public closer to implementation of primary HPV screening.