National Cervical Screening Programme

National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) Change to Screening Start Age As of 1 November, the change to the cervical screening start age from 20 to 25 years is now in implementation phase.

Update of PMS Vendors: The updates to the Practice Management Systems (PMS) have commenced. A couple of release dates have changed from our original email to ensure appropriate testing is completed. The PMS vendors have confirmed that all system changes will be implemented by 30 November 2019.

The PMS updates will ensure that the recall/task dates are appropriate so as to implement the new NCSP policy as below: ¡ Women under 25 years of age who are not currently in the programme are no longer invited for screening. ¡ Women under 25 who have already been screened, should continue to be screened according to the current pathway MyPractice has made their changes to the PMS. If MyPractice manage your PMS, please go to their website for more information: http://mypractice.co.nz/home/support/tutorials/for-practicenurses/cervical-smears-start-age-from-25yrs/ BestPractice has now completed all testing and will be going live on 22 November. BestPractice have advised they will send further information out this week, before the change will occur.

IntraHealth is currently completing final testing and will be going live on 22 November. Further information will be posted on the Intrahealth self service centre website https://support.intrahealth.com/ Medtech (this covers Medtech32 and Evolution) will be completing testing this week and will then confirm their release date. They will be confirming details of the release via an email notification to providers/PHOs as well as publishing information on the following website: https://insight.medtechglobal.com/ We wish to also clarify a couple of other points regarding the age change: If practices are screening women outside of the current guideline recommendations, a clinical rationale should be provided on the laboratory form.

There has been no change from the Ministry as to the criteria for eligibility for a free smear.

For further information on the age change, please visit the project page on the NSU website: https://www.nsu.govt.nz/health-professionals/national-cervical-screening-programme/age-range-changecervical-screening You can also review the latest media release on the Ministry website: https://www.health.govt.nz/newsmedia/news-items/new-zealand-women-start-cervical-screening-later