Early Welsh cervical screening programme learning as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on the cervical screening programme in Wales for the eligible women, sample takers, and laboratory and colposcopy services.

To explore what changes due to the pandemic have adversely affected screening outcomes in Wales and what lessons can be learned to improve cervical screening in Wales and elsewhere.

A review of the screening performance in 2020 and the first quarter of 2021 in Wales as well as a comparison with other cervical screening programme responses to the pandemic.

A 3 month pause of screening together with a change in a variety of working practices, including social distancing, use of personal protective equipment, use of virtual meetings, and home working have been implemented. The combination of a pause to the issuing of invitations, plus reduced services in primary and secondary care, together with population lockdown, have contributed to longer waiting times for colposcopy and potentially delayed cancer diagnoses. Some programme changes which were being evaluated prior to the pandemic could be developed now to mitigate the impact of the pandemic such as improved information, increased screening intervals for human papillomavirus-based screening programmes, and home working for call and recall staff.

Despite a considerable short-term interruption to the cervical screening programme, some changes introduced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic could provide key lessons learnt for improvement for cervical cancer prevention services.