The National Cervical Screening Program is encouraging healthcare providers to continue to offer routine screening and follow up, recognising that in the current circumstances, patients may feel uncomfortable or worried about attending for screening, and healthcare providers/clinics have different capacities and arrangements for managing their patients.
Updated information includes:
- Overarching guidance to assist clinician decision-making on screening appointments including deferral and rescheduling, depending on individual patient circumstances.
- Guidance for the management of patients requiring further investigation and treatment during the pandemic due to the cancellation of elective surgeries.
This is a dynamic situation and there may be further changes to arrangements under the program in response to the pandemic. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 impacts on the program, and provide updates on the Department of Health Cancer Screening website.
Queries can be sent to NCSPCommittees@health.gov.au.