as per national guidance, every sample taker is required to undertake 3-yearly update training to maintain competency in cervical sample taking. This can be completed through face-to-face training with an accredited training provider or by the e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH) NHS Cervical Screening Programme 3-year update training module.
We are aware that this module is currently out of date and does not reflect the new national guidance and extended screening intervals.
Due to this, if you are approaching your 3-yearly update training, we recommend that you familiarise yourself with the NHS webinar held on 12 June 2025 which includes information on the policy changes. Please see attached.
We have been told the 3-yearly training e-LfH module will be updated in the next few months, and we will be sending out further communication once this has been confirmed. Following this update, we recommend all sample takers complete the training module even if 3 years has not yet lapsed. Once training has been updated, we will provide further guidance on how to upload your new training certificate to the cervical sample taker database.
NNUH lab are aware of the ongoing delays in the training updates and will not remove a sample taker from the CSTD if their 3-yearly update training certificate is out of date.
Please note the published national programmes guidance has been updated and is providing the correct information.
