To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the efficacy of the invitation issued by the NHS Cervical Screening Programme which is addressed to women, people with a cervix and trans men if they have a cervix; and what steps they will take to ensure that the provision of cervical screening services is not degraded by a lack of clarity concerning eligibility for them.
Answered on
19 July 2022
This answer is a correction from the original answer.
We are aware that cancer screening coverage is lower in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Such inequalities are due partially to individuals being unsure which National Health Service screening programmes they are eligible for or how to access screening if they are not automatically invited. We have therefore worked with Cancer Research UK and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to amend the language used in cervical screening to include ‘women and anyone with a cervix’. The same terminology has also been applied to the NHS cervical screening leaflet.
We have also provided a leaflet for transgender and non-binary individuals, which explains which patient groups the NHS invites for screening and how eligible people can access screening if they are not automatically invited.
Original answer
The Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework 2019-24 sets out how community pharmacy will support the NHS Long Term Plan, integrate with the National Health Service and provide more clinical services, such as advice and treatment for minor illnesses. A range of services have been introduced, including the Community Pharmacist Consultation Service which allows general practices and NHS 111 to refer patients to community pharmacies for minor illnesses.
The majority of community pharmacies also offer blood pressure checks and further support for patients who have been prescribed specific new medicines. Negotiations on additional support which could be provided by sector are ongoing. NHS England is piloting services which could be introduced, including the direct referral of people with potential symptoms of cancer, minor illness referrals from urgent and emergency care settings and the supply of contraception.
New standards for initial education and training will ensure that all new pharmacists entering the profession will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to undertake greater clinical roles and provision of healthcare services, including enhanced learning to become independent prescribers upon registration.