In May 2021, the Medical Services Advisory Committee recommended to government that self-collection be expanded to be offered as a choice to all people eligible for cervical screening: http://www.msac.gov.au/internet/msac/publishing.nsf/Content/1664-public.
A government decision on this recommendation is awaited, but the change could potentially be introduced sometime in 2022. At present, the self-collection pathway is available to under and never screened people aged 30 and over who meet strict eligibility criteria with the test being offered in a consultation by a cervical screening provider.
We recognise that the implementation of the current self-collection cervical screening pathway has not come without its challenges, and that primary care and the Primary Health Networks are pivotal in the delivery of self-collection. The University of Melbourne (led by A/Prof Julia Brotherton and Dr Claire Nightingale), has been commissioned by the Commonwealth Department of Health to conduct a consultation and develop an implementation plan to guide the potential roll out of this proposed policy change.
Primary care providers are encourage to participate in the short online survey: https://melbourneuni.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1TFtMJwsBHlbAzA
Participants of the survey have the choice to go into the draw to win one of two $200 Red Balloon Gift Vouchers.
