In April, we blogged about recruiting primary care and colposcopy sites to take part in the HPValidate study. We are pleased to inform you that, after being inundated with expressions of interests, we have selected 32 sites: 25 primary care sites and 7 colposcopy sites.
Having completed HPValidate inductions and initiation visits, sites are now recruiting individuals into the study.
How HPValidate will work
Individuals attending their GP practice for cervical screening will be invited to take part in the self-sampling study to test the specificity of self-sampling devices. If they agree to take part, they will carry out a self-test before their clinician takes their sample. They will also be asked to complete a short survey about their user experience.
To test the sensitivity of the self-sampling devices, individuals attending colposcopy will also be invited to take part in the study. If they agree to take part, they will carry out a self-test before their colposcopy appointment.
Over the course of the study we will collect 5,000 samples from general practice and 1,750 from colposcopy clinics. Since we last blogged, the laboratories selected to participate in HPValidate have been busy refining sample processing workflows and are in discussions with the self-sampling device manufacturers.
Residual sample archive
As part of HPValidate, we are asking laboratories to send residual samples (subject to consent) to an archive at the National Infection Service laboratories based at PHE Colindale.
The study archive is the first of its kind for the programme and will serve as an invaluable resource for the evaluation of new tests that may enhance cervical screening and disease management in the future.
The view from early adopter sites
The HPValidate study team has worked hard to prepare the 32 sites. Mendip Vale Medical Group (Bristol) was one of the first primary care sites to complete the online induction. Katherine White, practice/research nurse at Mendip Vale, said:
As a large practice we are very aware of the high number of individuals that do not attend for their cervical screening. The impact of COVID-19 has seen further decline in the number of people attending despite cervical screening being offered throughout the pandemic within the practice. If the study can successfully implement a self-sampling technique, this will hopefully increase uptake and help to stop the decline of individuals presenting for their cervical screening. The research team is very excited to be involved in this Public Health England study and contributing to an innovative way of improving patient care.
Among the 7 colposcopy sites taking part in the study, the colposcopy unit at Barts Health NHS Trust (London) was one of the first to complete the HPValidate induction and is recruiting patients to take part in the initiative. Linda Leitch-Devlin, a clinical nurse specialist at the trust, said:
Having witnessed the cervical screening programme develop in response to knowledge gained through advances in research, it is extremely exciting to have the opportunity to play a part in the continued progression of the programme. Whilst routine cervical screening is extremely effective in preventing cervical cancer, some people can feel uncomfortable or embarrassed during the process. It is anticipated that this research will enable alternative self-sampling methods of detecting HPV, which will hugely benefit individuals in the future.
Thank you
We would like to express our thanks to all of the sites taking part in this exciting journey, working together to inform the future of self-sampling in the NHS cervical screening programme.
Please keep an eye on the PHE Screening blog for further HPValidate updates.
PHE Screening blog
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