HPV self-testing: nurses stress profession’s ‘key role’ and the need to monitor workload impact

Nurses working in primary care have highlighted the ‘key role’ the profession will play in the roll-out of new self-testing HPV kits and the importance of an effective follow-up pathway. But questions have also been raised around the potential for increased demand put upon general practice nurses (GPNs) and workload within primary care. In August, the at-home testing kits began being rolled out to almost four million women who have not attended cervical screening appointments. It is hoped the programme will encourage more women to complete the screening to detect HPV, which can increase the risk of cervical cancer. If high-risk HPV is found through self-testing, individuals will be invited to book a follow-up cervical screening appointment at their GP surgery or sexual health clinic, where a nurse will then take a sample from the cervix to check for cell changes.