The NHS now uses HPV primary testing, which identifies high-risk HPV strains that cause 99.7% of cervical cancers.
Effective from 1st July 2025 all female patients are advised to have regular 5 yearly smear tests between the age of 24.5yrs and 64yrs. This is an important procedure undertaken by our specialist nurses (or the female doctor if there are special circumstances).
How will this work?
So anyone who is screened on or after 1st July 2025 and tests negative for HPV, will move to a 5 yearly screening, unless previous screening history suggests they should be screened more regularly. If you are being screened before 1st July 2025 and test negative for HPV, you will stay on the current 3 yearly recall until you’re next due a screen in 3 years time.
Only those who attend cervical screening on or after 1st July 2025 and meet the clinical criteria, will have their next test due date set at 5 years.
When you’ll be invited for cervical screening
- Under 24.5 – Up to 6 months before you turn 25
- 25 to 64 – Every 5 years
- 65 or older – Only if one of your last 3 tests was abnormal
You’ll get a letter in the post inviting you to make an appointment. Please don’t ignore your invite. Cervical screening is not a test for cancer it’s a test to help prevent cancer.
To find out more information about cervical screening click on the link:-
From September 2025, those patients who have downloaded the NHS App and have a negative test result will be notified of this by an NHS App message. It will also appear as an NHS App notification. If the NHS App message isn’t read within 72 hours, a letter will be sent as a failsafe.
Abnormal result letters will continue for the time being to be delivered by post.
Any patient who has not downloaded the NHS App, you will still be informed by letter.
We encourage all our patients to download the NHS App as this allows you to securely access and manage many NHS services online including ordering repeat prescriptions, booking and managing appointments, viewing your GP and hospital health records and getting health advice. You can also view your NHS number and organ donation decision, send messages to your GP surgery, and access services on behalf of someone you care for.
The App is free to download from your smartphone or tablet (Apple app store or Google play store)