Providers of medical pathology services must clearly identify self-collected vaginal samples for HPV testing as part of the National Cervical Screening Program. This includes referring self-collected vaginal samples onto a laboratory who can process them, where necessary.
There is a range of collection devices and methods available for use under the National Cervical Screening Program for self-collected vaginal samples. As a result, different pathology laboratories may have different collection and handling instructions and requirements.
Healthcare providers are encouraged to talk to their usual pathology provider in the first instance to:
- confirm that they can process self-collected vaginal samples, or confirm that they are able to refer self-collected vaginal samples to a laboratory that can process self-collected vaginal samples
- order the correct collection device and other consumables for offering self-collection
- confirm any collection, handling and transport requirements.
Find out more information about the processing of self-collection samples.