Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to update the NHS cervical screening programme guidance to allow paramedics to train as cervical screening sample takers.

NHS England has given approval for advanced paramedics working within primary care to be trained to take cervical screening samples. This is on the basis that paramedics working in primary care, who can demonstrate that cervical sample taker training is relevant to their role and practice, should be able to undertake the NHS Cervical Screening Programme recognised cervical sample taker training. This was intended to be used as a flexible use of the professional workforce and utilised in line with need. Sample Taker Training guidance is due to be updated to reflect the inclusion of paramedics in the sample taking process.