Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with NHS Trusts to ensure that cervical cancer screening appointments remain available during the covid-19 outbreak.

NHS England and NHS Improvement are committed to the continued operation of cancer services during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is recognised as a priority by National Health Service trusts and screening service providers, who have been instructed that invitations and appointments should be maintained for all NHS screening services, including cervical screening and that staff and facilities should not be redeployed.

NHS England and NHS Improvement have liaised with providers of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme to ensure that cervical appointments are available for those eligible and due to be screened. NHS England and NHS Improvement have developed and issued guidance to its regional teams to support providers to continue to deliver services, including Infection Prevention and Control advice and innovations such as providing screening appointments in a greater range of venues.