For healthcare providers: Supporting patients in cervical screening
The National Cervical Screening Program reduces illness and death from cervical cancer. Women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 years of age are invited to have a Cervical Screening Test every 5 years through a healthcare provider.
Healthcare providers can leverage the NCSR to support patients in cervical screening.
The role of healthcare providers
Healthcare providers play a key role in promoting and encouraging routine cervical screening, including self-collection, to ensure early detection. Patients can chose to:
- collect their own sample from their vagina using a simple swab (self-collection)
- have their healthcare provider collect a sample from their cervix using a speculum
Promoting awareness is essential for boosting participation, especially among those hesitant about traditional tests. By raising awareness of cervical screening options, providers can empower more patients to screen.
Supporting your patients
Healthcare providers can leverage the Healthcare Provider Portal or integrated clinical software to make it easier to track, remind, and follow up with patients to support improved outcomes.
Improved access to patient screening information is vital for facilitating meaningful conversations to highlight the life-saving potential of early detection and address any concerns about the screening process.
The NCSR’s digital channels enable healthcare providers to securely access and submit comprehensive screening information for the cervical screening program.
By incorporating these channels into your workflow, you're not just improving practice efficiency — you're contributing to a nationwide effort to reduce deaths from cervical cancer.
Information about a patient’s demographics and screening history held within the NCSR is used to apply the correct screening pathway.
To help the NCSR provide a safety net for the screening programs, healthcare providers can update their patient’s details and submit clinical information via integrated clinical software or the Healthcare Provider Portal.
These channels are designed to make it easier to update your patient’s record to make sure they receive appropriate care and avoid unnecessary follow-ups.
You can submit the following forms and reports for the cervical screening program:
- Abnormal results questionnaire: Report colposcopy details or alternative management of abnormal cervical screening results
- Colposcopy & treatement form: Report colposcopy and treatment details for patient follow-up
- Add total hysterectomy: Applies a total hysterectomy flag against a patient’s record