BAC Office · 12 Coldbath Square, London EC1R 5HL · Tel: +44 (0) 20 7278 6907 · Email: mail@britishcytology.org.uk · Registered Charity 276829
12 February 2018
The BAC are delighted that several of the lectures from the fully booked ASM held 4th November 2017 are now available for members to download.
8 February 2018
The study day on 16th April 2018 covers aspects of FNA practice including the value of onsite assessment and provisional reporting in H&N, EBUS and EUS suites
8 February 2018
IBMS/RCPath Conjoint Board for Cytology is asking for expressions of interest from Consultant Cytopathologists to join the Conjoint Board
29 January 2018
Following on from the Jo's Trust Cervical Cancer Prevention campaign last week the IBMS have produced an article highlighting the challenges facing cervical cancer screening in the UK
https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/the-challenges-of-nhs-cervical-cancer-screening/
22 January 2018
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to women affected by cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities.
https://www.jostrust.org.uk/get-involved/campaign/cervical-cancer-prevention-week-2018
10 January 2018
Please be aware that the 2018 Clinical Excellence Awards round will open on Tuesday 13 February and will close at 5:00pm on Thursday 12 April.
19 December 2017
Cervical screening prevents cancer by detecting abnormalities of the cervix and referring women for potential treatment.
We rely on 50 laboratories across England to report on cervical cytology (sometimes called smear test) samples.
19 December 2017
Primary Care Support England produce quarterly bulletins for cervical screening
https://pcse.england.nhs.uk/news/2017/december/cervical-screening-bulletin/
5 December 2017
The effectiveness of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme in Scotland has been assessed in a 7-year crosssectional study.
http://dtb.bmj.com/content/early/2017/12/04/dtb.2017.12.0560
10 November 2017
Women vaccinated against human papilloma virus (HPV) - thought to cause about 99% of cervical cancers - may only need three smear tests in their lifetime, a new study suggests.
8 November 2017
This report presents information about the NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England in 2016-17 and includes data on the call and recall system, on screening samples examined by pathology laboratories and on referrals to colposcopy clinics.
6 November 2017
HPV testing will be introduced as the primary screening modality in the cervical screening programmes in all four nations of the UK as well as the Republic of Ireland in the near future.
5 November 2017
The BAC announced the long awaited decision on the numbers of laboratories within the CSP in England on Saturday at the ASM. The official announcement was released late afternoon on the Friday 3rd November 2017, and the 140 delegates at the ASM were amongst the first to hear it.
27 October 2017
As members may be aware, there has been work over the last few months by NHSE working with PHE on plans to help alleviate the current cervical cytology backlogs across England.
5 October 2017
The number of young women in Scotland showing early signs of potential cervical cancer has dropped by 41% since a school vaccination programme was introduced, researchers have said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-41496953
4 October 2017
Revised edition replaces the 2015 version
27 September 2017
For several months there has been little news to report on the roll out of HPV in England.
21 September 2017
Health matters: making cervical screening more accessible
13 September 2017
BAC can report that the ASM 2017 has been approved for CPD purposes
http://www.britishcytology.org.uk/go/bac-cytology-meetings~10
22 August 2017
All providers of local NHS screening services in England should apply this guidance. This includes NHS trusts, NHS foundation trusts, general practitioners and private providers.
14 August 2017
Acta Cytologica, the official journal of the International Academy of Cytology, lost its Journal Impact Factor in 2014.
10 August 2017
A press release issued today indicates that Scotland will introduce Primary HPV Screening within the Scottish CSP for an expected delivery date of 2019-20
9 August 2017
This document sets out the programme specific operating model (PSOM) for quality assurance (QA) of the NHS cervical screening programmes and should beread in conjunction with the ‘Operating Model for PHE Screening Quality
Assurance Service: 2015/16 to 2017/18’ and the relevant screening quality assurance service (SQAS) generic standard operating procedures documents.
24 July 2017
There has been media coverage today on the BBC (both on radio and on their website) about delays in the reporting of cervical cytology screening samples.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-40686393. This highlights that an increasing number of women are not receiving their result letter within the target time of 14 days from sample being taken for 98% of samples. The reports seem to be based on the 2015-16 English statistical returns, and hence relate to the English cervical screening service up to 31st March 2016. As such, the data is not up to date, and many of us are aware that the situation has got worse and for many seems to show no likelihood of improving in the near future. The article on the BBC website, with quotes from several sources, highlights that the main issue is one of low staff numbers and laboratory capacity. This has been brought into sharp focus with the intended switch to Primary HPV cervical screening in 2019. Many of us are acutely aware of the issue of limited laboratory capacity. PHE has published a mitigation plan to try and assist those laboratories with significant backlogs, but the capacity for this is currently very limited, and is highly unlikely to be able to address the needs for extra capacity across the whole of England. In the absence of any other current strategy to help reduce demand or increase laboratory capacity, it is difficult to see this situation improving until Primary HPV screening is rolled out across England. Plans for Wales and Scotland are well advanced. The plan for England is still in development, and the latest news on this is shown below, in a communication from Alison Cowie, Programme Lead, NHS England - Public Health Commissioning Central Team in response to an email from the BAC and which has been sent to others in the programme:
Thank you for your email on the 12th July 2017, regarding the implementation of HPV as the primary screen within the Cervical Screening Programme I wanted to provide you with a further update on the programme plan following the latest HPV Primary Screening Receiver Board, which was held on Thursday 13th July 2017.
The board considered and agreed a revised project plan which covers the key milestones and decision making required in respect of commissioning the cervical screening services. Following discussion of the options appraisal internally within NHS England, we have been challenged to ensure that wider pathology reforms are considered within our deliberations. As you will see from the table below, there is a significant refocus on engagement with local commissioning teams in relation to the development of the commissioning and procurement strategies, as it was felt that further work was required to identify and understand the current position regarding laboratory configuration and networks, local pathology strategies, the existing contractual frameworks and to begin the discussions around pricing and tariffs. The local knowledge and intelligence gathered via this engagement with local teams will allow for recommendations and decisions to be based on what will operationally work on a local and regional level; it will also inform any future commissioning and procurement arrangements. Therefore, we have had to revised our plans.
The following table details the various work streams and timescales which are required to deliver the changes in line with the recommendation made within the Cancer Strategy for England 2015-20, that there should be national coverage of HPV as a primary screen across the cervical screening programme by 2020.
| Work stream | Timescale |
| Development and approval of a commissioning strategy | June – September 2017 |
| Development and approval of a procurement strategy | June – September 2017 |
| Pricing/tariff development | June 2017 - TBD |
| If commissioning strategy determines, procurement processes and/or contracting processes undertaken. |
September 2017 – December 2019 (contract commencement taking place between April and December 2019) |
| Full national implementation and coverage of HPV Primary Screening by December 2019 |
We completely acknowledge and appreciate that the revised plan does not necessarily correlate with previously agreed timescales for key decisions and that this may cause further frustration amongst your members, however we’re confident that the revised plans will ensure that the commissioning and procurement strategies are reflective of local arrangements and will support the safe and effective implementation of HPV Primary Screening into the Cervical Screening Programme. I appreciate how this is a difficult time for both commissioners and providers locally. As you are aware, work is ongoing nationally around mitigation in order to reduce TAT backlogs. A Risk Summit during the summer is planned between NHS England and PHE to firm up other options to aide mitigation. We will inform our local Heads of Public Health Commissioning of the outcome and ask that they cascade to local providers.
If you do have any questions or queries on anything contained within this email, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind Regards
Alison
We will continue to share what news we have, and get more answers to legitimate questions and concerns from us as professionals, many working in the cervical screening programme.
7 July 2017
In response to a query from a cytologist, and also by the BAC, asking when the announcement of the option appraisal decision for laboratory configuration was going to be, the following reply from NHS England was posted on the PHE blog on 3rd July:
3 July 2017
Article from the European Journal of Cancer
http://www.ejcancer.com/article/S0959-8049%2817%2930919-X/fulltext
14 June 2017
Last year, after reviewing the evidence, the UK NSC recommended that the HPV test should replace cytology as the first (primary) test in cervical screening.
12 June 2017
BAC members may wish to note a cytology practical microscopy workshop that is taking place on the afternoon of Sunday 24th September as part of the IBMS Congress - which is in addition to the three days of cytopathology lectures.
11 June 2017
The BAC announced the long awaited decision on the numbers of laboratories within the CSP in England on Saturday at the ASM. The official announcement was released late afternoon on the Friday 3rd November 2017, and the 140 delegates at the ASM were amongst the first to hear it.
7 June 2017
Can you help lead the BAC by joining the Executive?
31 May 2017
In Europe, the BAC has been collaborating with the International Cervical Cancer Prevention Association (ICCPA) on a cervical screening program in Moldova
25 May 2017
The results from the above survey are now available for members to view. We would like to thank all those who took part, and took time out to complete it.
19 April 2017
Be at the forefront of making scientific innovation an intrinsic part of delivering a world-class NHS
30 March 2017
Many thanks for everyone who took the time to complete the cervical cytology workforce survey, which closed last night
26 March 2017
Dr William Faquin on-line lecture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvyDl_LIR4E&feature=youtu.be&t=24s
15 March 2017
The BAC is undertaking a survey of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme cytology workforce to assist with informing the decision making on HPV primary screening implementation
20 February 2017
In response to concerns raised to the HPV Implementation Group around communication to service providers, questions were invited from the professional bodies.
7 February 2017
The BAC are delighted to be hosting our annual scientific meeting and AGM on Saturday 4th November at the unique National Railway Museum in York.
http://www.britishcytology.org.uk/go/bac-cytology-meetings~10
31 January 2017
Latest Public Health England blog with regard to the HPV test should replace cytology as the first stage in cervical screening.
26 January 2017
Cervical screening saves an estimated 5,000 lives a year by detecting abnormalities of the cervix early and referring women for effective treatment.
26 January 2017
Some of you may have received the following letter, from PHE, but if not please note the downloads available
17 January 2017
Ruth Stubbs, National cervical screening programme manager for PHE Screening, says that PHE has joined forces with NHS England to produce a process for mitigation, and advises that in order find out more details around the mitigation process laboratories should contact their local Screening and Immunisation leads
5 January 2017
Information on the 10th Residential Tutorial of the European Federation of Cytology Societies
http://www.efcs.eu/index.php/events-new-mainmenu-74/10th-annual-tutorial-in-cytopathology
19 December 2016
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is currently recruiting for volunteers to help with their first national Roadshow.
https://www.jostrust.org.uk/support/volunteer-for-jo-s/volunteering-for-jo-s/volunteer-our-roadshow
2 December 2016
As BAC members may be aware, Professor Mina Desai is stepping down as Editor in Chief of Cytopathology as from January 2017 and is passing the baton onto Professor Michael Sheaff.
22 November 2016
Cancer Research UK: tests for cancer diagnosis are under threat as labs struggle to cope with rising demand
18 November 2016
This report presents information about the NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England in 2015-16
17 November 2016
At least one in every four women invited for cervical cancer screening in England last year failed to attend, latest figures show.
10 November 2016
Where permission has been granted, ECC 2016 lectures available as downloads
http://www.britishcytology.org.uk/go/bac-cytology-meetings/ecc-2016
31 October 2016
Many BAC members will remember Eileen Hewer who was president of the NAC from 1998 to 2001. Eileen was pivotal to the introduction of the Advanced Practitioner and a pioneer in training and education in cytology.
30 October 2016
The September issue of SCAN is now downloadable for members
18 October 2016
Medical Journal of Australia article
6 October 2016
PHE screening team members and clinicians attended the ECC 2016 Conference in Liverpool
30 September 2016
Professor Martha Pitman, is giving a lecture in London at the 6th October 2016
27 September 2016
NICE - BAC members may be interested in putting themselves forward for this specialist committee
21 September 2016
Some speakers have submitted slides for ECC 2016 attendees to review ahead of the 40th ECC meeting in Liverpool (2-5th October).
19 September 2016
The continued publication in Cytopathology of high quality articles relevant to its readers depends, not only on the submissions received, but on a rigorous peer review process.
18 September 2016
Following the BAC letter to Dr Anne Mackie, Director of Screening PHE, her response is attached. She acknowledges problems with the current cervical screening service delivery, the concerns of our members, and issues with communication.
16 September 2016
Two new roles as outreach coordinators are available at Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.
16 September 2016
13 September 2016
Information on the BAC AGM which is being held as part of the 40th European Congress of Cytology meeting.
31 August 2016
BAC members, and all those working in cytology, will be well aware of the pressures on cervical cytology laboratories in delivering the current cervical screening programme.
19 August 2016
PHE Screening has now released some information about how cervical screening laboratories which are having difficulties achieving the 14 day TAT target may address this.
5 August 2016
Incoming chair of the UK National Screening Committee: Professor Bob Steele
21 July 2016
The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) has published their annual evidence report Screening in the UK: making effective recommendations 2015 to 2016.
Find out more on the Public Health England screening website
15 July 2016
The next QUATE Aptitude Test in cervical cytology will be held on 5th October 2016
6 July 2016
BAC statement in relation to the announcement that HPV primary screening will be implemented into the English cervical screening programme
5 July 2016
The NHS in England is introducing a "superior" test for cervical cancer, following a successful pilot programme.
22 June 2016
NICE quality standards describe high-priority areas for quality improvement in a defined care or service area.
20 June 2016
Congrats to the Cytopathology team
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1365-2303
9 June 2016
The deadline has been extended to 30th June 2016
3 June 2016
Cancer Research UK are conducting a survey on pathology services in relation to service demand
16 May 2016
Internationally recognised expert in FNA visits the UK
12 May 2016
There are 2 places on the BAC Executive up for election at the 3rd October 2016 AGM in Liverpool. The Executive is bound by the aims and objectives of the BAC and is responsible for setting the strategic direction.
5 May 2016
One year, fixed term post with NHS England
https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/xi/vacancy/757ad5e1323ef20dbeb684e00166df62/?vac_ref=914167492
28 April 2016
This is the first marathon that Tom has undertaken since being diagnosed with a serious heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy.
19 April 2016
The British Association for Cytopathology has issued guidance outlining the role of biomedical scientists within the provision of non-gynaecological cytology services.
13 April 2016
11 April 2016
The Australian Society of Cytology is proud to be holding the Society’s 46th Annual Scientific Meeting in Melbourne in 2016.
http://www.cytology-asc.com/event/46th-annual-scientific-business-meeting/
24 March 2016
This guideline offers evidence-based advice on the care and treatment of people with lung cancer
15 March 2016
NHS Cervical Screening Programme Colposcopy and Programme Management, NHSCSP Publication number 20, Third Edition March 2016
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cervical-screening-programme-and-colposcopy-management
15 March 2016
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/advisory-committee-on-clinical-excellence-awards
14 March 2016
Do you report cytology specimens? Are you a consultant, senior scientist or histopathology trainee?
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CYTOLOGYTRAININGSURVEY_2016
10 March 2016
The three-yearly primary cervical screening test is set to change to screening for human papillomavirus (HPV) every five years.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11602849
9 March 2016
The Chief Scientific Officer’s WISE Fellowship Programme for NHS England, a brand new initiative, is now taking applications for 2016.
https://www.wisecampaign.org.uk/about-us/wise-projects/CSOFellowships
8 March 2016
Lay member wanted by HEE
23 February 2016
The BAC is pleased that Cytopathology invited the publication of the BAC recommended code of practice for cervical cytology laboratories 2015 in February’s issue
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cyt.2016.27.issue-1/issuetoc
16 February 2016
Online Seminars in Clinical Cytology from the IAC
http://www.cytology-iac.org/educational-resources/iac-webinars
12 February 2016
This recent article gives some practical experience of the use of p16 in cervical biopsies using the LAST criteria. It will be of interest to those who deal with cervical biopsy material from the CSPs.
Its findings may not be directly applicable to the UK setting, but are food for thought.
3 February 2016
Information about the 2016 Healthcare Science Awards including details of the categories and how to apply
27 January 2016
A study found 3.7 million women are failing to attend the preventative examination, while the UK now has one of the worst survival rates of cervical cancer in the developed world
http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/637369/4-million-women-cervical-cancer-screening-tests
19 January 2016
First IAC Seminar of 2016
http://www.cytology-iac.org/educational-resources/iac-webinars
15 January 2016
(HPV) testing as the first stage in the cervical screening programme
10 January 2016
Dr Winifred Gray on the passing of Dr Arthur Spriggs
8 January 2016
A BMJ article, rightly or wrongly(!), that challenges current thinking
6 January 2016
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued a new cervical cancer screening and prevention Practice Bulletin that stated screening with “the FDA-approved primary HPV screening test can be considered as a alternative to current cytology-based cervical cancer screening methods” in women 25 years and older
20 December 2015
HPV vaccine coverage data for vaccinations given from 1 September 2014 to 31 August 2015 by local authority and area team.15 December 2015
ECC 2016 Raffle winner at the ASM 20159 December 2015
Apologies for a slight delay in the production of the latest Cytopathology journal3 December 2015
In 2013, the International Academy for Cytology and the American Society of Cytopathology jointly sponsored The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology
@britishcytology