High Level Priorities
Historically, cervical screening coverage for the 50-64 age cohort has been higher than coverage amongst the 25-49 cohort across England and locally in North Tyneside.
Despite North Tyneside having higher coverage than the England trend for both age cohorts, there is still a geographical variation within North Tyneside.
Although there is no notable change in trend across the 50-64 age cohort, 12 out of the 24 GP practices within North Tyneside do have coverage which is lower than the England average. Across all Primary Care Networks (PCNS) in North Tyneside there is a decreasing trend in coverage for the 25-49 age cohort [10].
The priority for North Tyneside is therefore to increase cervical screening coverage by improving the processes for accessing appointments, removing existing barriers to screening and increasing awareness of screening.
Increase awareness of screening programme
Professional Partners - Local healthcare and partners have different ways of reaching and communicating with the communities they serve. For them to endorse and answer any questions about the screening programme as trusted voices in their communities, it is essential they are informed of when and how the national programme operates. This allows them to plan any interventions and raise awareness within their communities through informational and promotional resources [11]. Unlike in the other cancer screening programmes, GP practices are informed after two invitation letters have been sent to an individual, prior to them being closed and recorded as a ‘non-responder’ within the CSAS. This provides an opportunity for local healthcare providers to engage with their patients [11].
Eligible Population -The eligible population of people with a cervix aged 25-64 may or may not know that they are due for their cervical screening. As local healthcare and partners are informed after two invitations are sent, they can have active conversations with their patients, clients, and service users to answer questions, advocate for any reasonable adjustments and dispel any myths or concerns by making every contact count. Raising general population awareness of the programme may impact on uptake as it may enable conversations within families and communities[12].
Improve processes for accessing appointments - There are many GP Practice procedural factors that may impact upon screening uptake within the eligible practice population. For example, the types and number of healthcare professionals qualified to provide cervical screening, whether the cytology lead is a healthcare professional or within the administration team (some practices have both). Evidence demonstrates that GP endorsement has a positive effect on cervical screening coverage and practices are encouraged to implement initiatives which improve access and coverage, including screening reminders, addressing barriers to screening and dealing with non-responders[11].
Removing barriers to screening
Known barriers to cervical screening include[13]
- Feeling of embarrassment
- Intending to go but not getting around to it
- Fear of finding the procedure painful (incl. post-menopausal women)
- Worry about what the test might find
- Previous negative screening experience
- Finding it difficult to arrange a convenient appointment time
- Perceived low risk of cancer or not needing screening, e.g. not currently sexually active or in a lesbian relationship
- Lack of awareness and knowledge of the purpose and benefits of the test which can lead to fear or lack of trust
- Worry about being perceived as promiscuous
- Cultural or religious beliefs
- Fear due to previous assault or abuse
- Unable to access information due to language or mode of delivery
While screening should always be a choice, it is likely that the coverage and variation seen across North Tyneside is not solely a reflection of informed choice given the association seen with communities with more deprivation and less coverage[9].
[10] cervical screening coverage North Tyneside. Available at: https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/cancerservices/data#page/3/gid/1938133365/pat/66/par/nE38000127/ati/204/iid/93725/age/299/sex/2/cat/-1/ctp/-1/yrr/1/cid/4/tbm/1/page-options/car-do-0 [accessed 11/6/2025]
[11] Ideas for improving cervical screening access and uptake. Available at Cervical screening: ideas for improving access and uptake - GOV.UK [accessed 11/6/2025]
[12] NHS, (2025) Cervical Screening Administration Services: invitations, reminders and results communication. Available at: https://csas.nhs.uk/invitations-reminders-and-results-letters/ [accessed 11/6/2025]
[13] Encouraging informed participation in cervical screening. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-screening/cervical-screening/encouraging-informed-participation#understanding-the-barriers-to-screening-participation [accessed 12/6/2025]