Capita stripped of NHS cervical screening contract

The NHS is bringing the administration of its cervical screening programme back in-house following blunders by the private sector group Capita, which holds the contract for the service.

On 20 March, NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens told a hearing of the Public Accounts Committee into failings with adult health screening programmes that action was being taken because NHS England “have not been satisfied” with Capita’s performance. This included late notification by Capita of delays in sending out cervical test invitation, reminder, and results letters.

He said that, starting from June, the cervical screening service would be returned to the NHS, with a phased transition through the rest of the year.

The cervical screening system is part of Capita’s contract to deliver primary care …