Awanui Labs (formerly SCL) have been advised by the National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) that the start date for the switch to primary HPV screening has been postponed until 12 September 2023.

Further information is available from the NCSP by emailing HPVScreen@health.govt.nz.

Any orders already received for the new HPV swabs will be cancelled, with orders reopening closer to the new start date.

Until the programme change to primary HPV testing takes effect on 12 September 2023, SurePath vials remain the only acceptable sample type for cervical cytology screening.