Cervical screening for healthcare providers

The SA Cervix Screening Program delivers a range of services in partnership with the National Cervical Screening Program to help support your practice in line with the national policy guidelines.

The Australian Government Department of Health is leading a renewal of the National Cervical Screening Program.

Since the National Cervical Screening Program was introduced in 1991, there is greater knowledge and understanding about the development of cervical cancer and new technologies and testing capabilities have been developed. Everything that has changed as part of the Renewal and resources to help educate your patients.

Self collection

Many South Australian women are currently not up to date with cervical screening. Self collection may be a suitable alternative for women who are 30 or over and who are not already participating in regular cervical screening.

Research shows that women who are under-screened or never screened are likely to require additional support as they receive their results and whilst having follow-up testing.

If your clinic does not currently offer self collection, the information below may assist you in offering this option to eligible patients.

Pathology providers processing self collection

The availability of self collection has expanded with two pathology providers in Australia now accredited to process self collected samples.

Clinicians working in South Australia can offer self-collection to their eligible patients and send samples to either Clinpath Pathology or Victorian Cytology Services (VCS) Pathology.

We recommend you call your chosen provider ahead of offering self collection, to ensure you have all the necessary supplies and that you are up to date with the processes including:

  • what to write on pathology request
  • sample transport / postage options
  • time frames for sample viability.

Accredited pathology providers

Clinpath Pathology client service: (08) 8366 2000

Website: http://www.clinpath.com.au/cst

Victorian Cytology Service (VCS) Pathology

Liaison Physician: 1800 611 635

Website: https://acpcc.org.au/practitioners/clinical-resources/

Resources for clinicians

The National Cervical Screening Program has produced the following to support self collection pathway:

National Cervical Screening Program Renewal 

As part of the National Cervical Screening Program Renewal, a National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR) has been created by the Australian Government Department of Health.

The NCSR phone number 1800 627 701 can be used for all requests regarding a patient’s screening test history and reminders, as well as checking and updating patient’s personal details.  For more information about the NCSR, visit the  National Cancer Screening Registry website.

As the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR) is now fully operational, the South Australian Cervical Screening Register (SACSR) ceased to operate as of 28 June 2019. This is in line with other state based cervical screening registries.  The cervical screening records of South Australian participants held by the South Australian Cervix Screening Registry (SACSR) have been transferred to the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR).

Compass Trial

Please be aware that the NCSR will not manage the records of participants in the Compass Trial. If you require information or a screening history for a Compass participant, please continue to contact the Compass Register on 1800 611 635. The Compass Register will continue to operate and support Compass participants, their providers and the laboratories for the duration of the trial.