Cervical screening: gynaecological cytopathology EQA scheme
The external quality assessment (EQA) scheme for gynaecological cytopathology in the NHS cervical screening programme.
- From:
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- Published
- 23 March 2016
- Last updated
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7
26AprilSeptember20252024— See all updates
Applies to England
Documents
ChangesReferral tosheet
Ref: PHE publications gateway number: GW-484
ODT, 7.42 KB
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Scoring matrices
Ref: PHE publications gateway number: GW-484
PDF, 220 KB, 2 pages
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Request cytopathologyan EQAaccessible schemeformat.
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Performance examples with action points
Ref: PHE publications gateway number: GW-484
HTMLPDF, 121 KB, 1 page
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Amalgamation of grades when both adjacent grades have equal consensus
Ref: PHE publications gateway number: GW-484
PDF, 93.2 KB, 1 page
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
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Details
This guidance outlines the external quality assessment (EQA) scheme for gynaecological cytopathology.
It provides information about:
-
EQA scheme design
- interpretation of results
- requirements and responsibilities for participants
- principles and methodology of operation
This scheme is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to ISO 17043. The Proficiency Testing Provider number is 7597.
This publication was originally published by Public Health England, which closed on 30 September 2021.
Updates to this page
Published 23 March 2016
Last updated 726 AprilSeptember 2025
+ show hide all updates" href="#full-history">+ show all updates
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12th edition of the NHS cervical screening programme gynaecological cytopathology EQA scheme. Changes as summarised in the 'Changes to this edition of the gynaecological cytopathology EQA scheme' page. Referral sheet, scoring matrices, performances examples with action points and amalgamation of grades files PDFs now embedded within the main guidance.
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Update history
2026-10-08 15:13
Updates reflected on summary of changes page
2025-04-07 09:30
12th edition of the NHS cervical screening programme gynaecological cytopathology EQA scheme. Changes as summarised in the ‘Changes to this edition of the gynaecological cytopathology EQA scheme’ page. Referral sheet, scoring matrices, performances examples with action points and amalgamation of grades files PDFs now embedded within the main guidance.
2024-09-26 16:15
Added clarification that publication was originally published by Public Health England.
2023-10-11 16:57
Chapter 1 The EQA schemeSection 1.3 EQA scheme enquiries – updated contact informationChapter 2 Scheme roles and responsibilities Chapter 3 GovernanceSection 3.3 EQA Management BoardUpdated the EQA management board’s escalation route for major concerns about the scheme (see last bullet)Section 3.4 National oversightUpdated the scheme’s accountability arrangements within NHS EnglandChapter 4 Laboratory participationSection 4.7 ConfidentialityClarified the circumstances in which confidentiality (relating to a participant’s identity) may be broken by the scheme.Chapter 8 The assessmentSection 8.1 Recording and submitting responsesClarified the arrangements for participants who record and submit their responses using the manual form.Clarified the sanctions for participants who do not follow the protocol when submitting responses using EQA Online.Chapter 11 Assessment of performanceSection 11.5 Action points for persistent substandard performanceThis update provides a detailed description of the steps taken by the scheme in relation to the first and second action points associated with instances of substandard performance in EQA assessments.Chapter 12 CommunicationSection 12.8 Annual report – updated the distribution list of recipients who receive the annual report
ChangesReferral tosheet
Ref: PHE publications gateway number: GW-484
ODT, 7.42 KB
This file is in an OpenDocument format
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format.
Scoring matrices
Ref: PHE publications gateway number: GW-484
PDF, 220 KB, 2 pages
This file may not be suitable for users of theassistive gynaecologicaltechnology.
Request cytopathologyan EQAaccessible schemeformat.
Performance examples with action points
Ref: PHE publications gateway number: GW-484
HTMLPDF, 121 KB, 1 page
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format.
Amalgamation of grades when both adjacent grades have equal consensus
Ref: PHE publications gateway number: GW-484
PDF, 93.2 KB, 1 page
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format.
Details
This guidance outlines the external quality assessment (EQA) scheme for gynaecological cytopathology.
It provides information about:
- EQA scheme design
- interpretation of results
- requirements and responsibilities for participants
- principles and methodology of operation
This scheme is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to ISO 17043. The Proficiency Testing Provider number is 7597.
This publication was originally published by Public Health England, which closed on 30 September 2021.
Updates to this page
Last updated 7
-
12th edition of the NHS cervical screening programme gynaecological cytopathology EQA scheme. Changes as summarised in the 'Changes to this edition of the gynaecological cytopathology EQA scheme' page. Referral sheet, scoring matrices, performances examples with action points and amalgamation of grades files PDFs now embedded within the main guidance.
Sign up for emails or print this page
Update history
2026-10-08 15:13
Updates reflected on summary of changes page
2025-04-07 09:30
12th edition of the NHS cervical screening programme gynaecological cytopathology EQA scheme. Changes as summarised in the ‘Changes to this edition of the gynaecological cytopathology EQA scheme’ page. Referral sheet, scoring matrices, performances examples with action points and amalgamation of grades files PDFs now embedded within the main guidance.
2024-09-26 16:15
Added clarification that publication was originally published by Public Health England.
2023-10-11 16:57
Chapter 1 The EQA schemeSection 1.3 EQA scheme enquiries – updated contact informationChapter 2 Scheme roles and responsibilities Chapter 3 GovernanceSection 3.3 EQA Management BoardUpdated the EQA management board’s escalation route for major concerns about the scheme (see last bullet)Section 3.4 National oversightUpdated the scheme’s accountability arrangements within NHS EnglandChapter 4 Laboratory participationSection 4.7 ConfidentialityClarified the circumstances in which confidentiality (relating to a participant’s identity) may be broken by the scheme.Chapter 8 The assessmentSection 8.1 Recording and submitting responsesClarified the arrangements for participants who record and submit their responses using the manual form.Clarified the sanctions for participants who do not follow the protocol when submitting responses using EQA Online.Chapter 11 Assessment of performanceSection 11.5 Action points for persistent substandard performanceThis update provides a detailed description of the steps taken by the scheme in relation to the first and second action points associated with instances of substandard performance in EQA assessments.Chapter 12 CommunicationSection 12.8 Annual report – updated the distribution list of recipients who receive the annual report