Improving cervical screening access for trauma-affected women through HPV self-testing

This project supports NHS England's cervical cancer elimination goals by improving access to culturally sensitive and trauma-informed cervical screening services for women and people with a cervix who have experienced sexual abuse, trauma, or female genital mutilation (FGM). The initiative addresses a critical gap: while HPV self-testing will improve screening uptake, many high-risk patients need support navigating follow-up cervical screening, yet specialist trauma-informed services remain concentrated in major cities and are underutilized. The five-phase project will: (1) explore current accessibility barriers and stakeholder perspectives; (2) review international best practices for supporting vulnerable populations through HPV testing and screening; (3) audit existing UK healthcare practitioner training and resources; (4) assess practitioner competence and confidence in trauma-informed care, identify training gaps, and co-produce educational assets (e-learning, videos, guides); and (5) pilot and evaluate the impact of new training and resources with a test group of practitioners across GP and specialist settings. Suppliers should have expertise in healthcare training development, trauma-informed care, cervical screening services, or health equity. The project seeks partners to help design accessible, evidence-based solutions that enable practitioners to confidently support vulnerable patients through HPV testing and cervical screening pathways.