<p> Renewal of the National Cervical Screening Program Partner Reference Group E-newsletter – August 2016</p><p>Dear Partner</p><p>We are pleased to advise that a number of activities have progressed significantly since the last enewsletter in May 2016. This update is provided for your information. NCSP: Guidelines for the Management of Screen Detected Abnormalities, Screening in Specific Populations and Investigation of Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding (2016 Guidelines) The Cancer Council Australia has finalised the clinical management guidelines for the renewed National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) and work has commenced on a dissemination plan. Endorsement of the Guidelines is currently being sought from the key colleges, RACGP, RANZCOG, RCPA and societies, ASCCP and ASGO.</p><p>The final guidelines will not be released publicly until the appropriate supporting resources are developed. The finalised Guidelines will then be published on Cancer Council Australia’s wiki platform, which will allow them to be continually updated as new evidence becomes available. They will also be available in PDF format. National Cancer Screening Register Work to establish the National Cancer Screening Register is continuing. A separate update on the NCSR will be circulated to the Partner Reference Group shortly. Legislation The National Cancer Screening Register Bill 2016 and the National Cancer Screening Register (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2016 (the Bills) have been included in the new Parliament’s Spring 2016 legislation program which commences on 30 August 2016. National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council Standards The National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council’s (NPAAC) Cervical Screening Drafting Committee, chaired by Associate Professor Paul McKenzie, is currently drafting the standards for the tests used in the cervical screening pathway, including human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. Following consideration by NPAAC, the draft document is expected to be released for public consultation in the near future. All stakeholders will be advised by NPAAC Secretariat when the draft document is available. You may also wish to check the NPAAC website (http://www.health.gov.au/npaac) for any updates, or email the NPAAC Secretariat at [email protected] Medicare Benefits Schedule Items The Department is working with the Pathology Clinical Committee and Business Group to finalise the item descriptors and fees to support the renewed NCSP. The Business Group met on 16 June 2016 to discuss methodologies to support fee setting. It is understood that many pathology laboratories require the item descriptors and fees to undertake modelling for administration, system and business planning purposes and the Department will release this information once the details are finalised. Workforce and Practice Change A number of activities have progressed to support workforce and practice change, including:  The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia continues to implement their Pathology Workforce Change project to support the transition from conventional Pap testing to HPV testing with reflex liquid based cytology. An external provider has undertaken a needs analysis to determine transition and support services required for the transition to the NCSP renewal. Workshops for pathology providers will commence shortly.  The NPS MedicineWise project to develop Online and Practical training for healthcare professionals is progressing. An expert advisory group comprised of members from key colleges and associations with an interest in cervical screening are providing feedback and input into the development of the product.  Work is progressing on resources development for the renewed NCSP, including both health care professional and consumer resources.  Cancer Council Australia have been contracted to develop the Engaging with underscreened and never-screened women in the National Cervical Screening Program Toolkit for health care professionals, after a competitive tender process was finalised in June. Work has now commenced on this project. Communications The Communications Strategy is currently being finalised in consultation with state and territory governments. Indigenous Focus The Department convened a Workshop in June 2016 looking at ways to improve the participation and identification of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in the renewed program. The outcomes from the Workshop will inform activity in this area. Quality and Safety The Quality and Safety Monitoring Committee are considering protocols for monitoring the safety of the new program. The Quality Framework for the NCSP is almost finalised and is likely to be available in February 2017. More information Further information on the Renewal can be found at cancerscreening.gov.au and you are welcome to contact us at [email protected] if you have any queries.</p><p>The newsletter’s aim is to update our Partners regarding the progress of the Renewal. If you do not wish to receive the E-newsletter, please let us know and we will remove you from our mailing list. You are welcome to share this information with your colleagues.</p><p>Cervical Renewal Secretariat On behalf of Professor Ian Hammond Chair, Steering Committee for the Renewal Implementation Project</p>