More women affected by cervical screening mistake

It has emerged that over 3,500 women have not received NHS cervical cancer screening information.

The discovery was made by Capita, the organisation responsible for forwarding screening invitations, during an investigation into an administration error which is already known to have affected 40,000 women in England.

The women involved are being written to and NHS England have said that there is no knowledge of harm resulting from these issues, which now date back to 2017.

The mistakes were made between 2017 and 2018 and although the majority of the unsent letters were either invitations or reminders to attend screening, some were regarding abnormal test results.

Around 4.5 million women receive invitations for screening each year, those aged between 25 and 49 are offered screening every three years and those between 50 and 64 invited every five years.

An official from NHS England said “There is no current evidence of any harm having resulted from these issues and all women affected, and their GPs, are being written to today advising them on what they need to do.

“These administrative failures were uncovered by a clinically led panel, convened by NHS England following a serious incident confirmed by Capita earlier this year.

“Primary Care Services England, run by Capita, has accepted its responsibility for these errors.”

Charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust’s Robert Music, said “Frankly, it is appalling that thousands of women have been affected by a further error. At a time when cervical screening attendance is falling, we cannot afford for faith to be lost in the programme. This could result in more women not taking up their invite. Waiting for results can already be an anxious time and failures such as this are only adding further stress on women.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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