Impact of HPV self-testing- insights & good practice in FGM, sexual abuse&trauma

With the planned roll-out of HPV self-testing, we may see improvements in uptake rates, however there will still be a need for cervical screening for those where self-testing indicates high risk HPV, meaning that there will be an ongoing need to provide culturally competent and trauma informed interventions in cervical screening services.

Previous insights suggest that although there are a small number of specialist services concentrated in major cities in England which provide a range of women’s health services for women who have experienced FGM, including cervical screening, many women are unaware of these or are unable to access them.

This project aims to ensure that there is sufficient access to culturally sensitive trauma informed staff able to respond to this need. This will support the objectives of the NHS England » Cervical cancer elimination by 2040 – plan for England.

The project will consist of 5 phases:

1. Explore accessibility to HPV self-testing and cervical screening for victims of sexual abuse/trauma/FGM (working with stakeholders).
2. Scope interventions deployed in other countries to ensure self-testing and screening is accessible for these groups.

Comprehensive review of published material detailing effective pathways into and subsequent to HPV self-testing, including how those with positive high risk HPV tests are supported in cervical screening.

3. Scope existing educational and informational resources and training in England for healthcare practitioners.

Scope what existing educational and informational resources and training has been developed/evaluated to equip healthcare practitioners in supporting women and people with a cervix who have experienced FGM and other types of trauma to engage in HPV self-testing and cervical screening

4. Engage with practitioners to assess current competence and confidence.

Engage with practitioners including CS sample takers to assess extent to which they are trained in TIC and how confident they are in their skills and competence in providing TIC, including those in GP and specialist settings. Identify knowledge and training gaps and co-produce any assets required to address identified gaps, e.g. development of content/e-learning /video to include in the NHS Cervical Screening Sample Taker Update Training - (working with relevant sexual abuse/trauma charities).

5. Trial assets and training and evaluate impact with a small group of practitioners

Trial a selected set of assets and training with a small group of practitioners supported by training and evaluate the impact on their reported competence and confidence.