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Pap test Registry now sending second reminder letter
The Victorian Cervical
Cytology Registry sends a reminder letter to Victorian women three months
after their next Pap test is due – so for women with a previous
negative Pap test result the letter is sent 27 months after their previous
test.
A second
reminder letter will be introduced as part of a pilot program from
June 2011, with the letter sent
9 months after the first (so most women will receive letters 27 months and
36 months after their previous
Pap test).
Research around
the use of reminder letters suggests that the introduction of a second
reminder letter in the Cervical Screening Program may increase the number
of underscreened women in Victoria participating in the program.
The results of
this intervention will then be evaluated to determine whether the second
reminder letter will become a permanent strategy to increase cervical
screening participation.
It's estimated
that around 8000 second reminder letters will be sent per month,
across Victoria, and as such clinics should experience minimal
increased demand for Pap test appointments.
If you receive
queries from women receiving a second reminder letter and are unsure how
to answer them, please refer them to the Registry – 03 9250 0399.
Please continue
with any reminder letter systems established by your clinic as normal.
Practice
Based Reminders
In accordance with the national policy of two yearly testing, the
Registry posts reminder letters at 27 months to women whose last Pap smear
was reported as negative. If you wish, the Registry will provide a list of
your patients who are between 21 and 27 months since their last Pap smear.
If you would like to receive these lists, which are posted, or sent via
the eClinic secure client application, every four months, and have not
already asked us, please contact the Registry by phone on 9250 0399, by
fax on 9349 1818 or by sending an e-mail to registry@vccr.org
The Cervical
Screening PIP
From 1 November 2001, increased remuneration has been available to
general practitioners who collect cervical smears from women who are 4 or
more years since their last Pap smear. These women are considered to be
'high risk' and a Service Incentive Payment (SIP) will be paid for each
'high risk' woman screened. To assist general practitioners who have
signed on with the Cervical Screening Incentive Program, the Registry will
identify, and provide to practices, lists of women who, according to our
records, are currently aged between the ages of 20 and 69 years and have
not had a cervical Pap smear in the last 4 years. You do not need to
request these lists, as they are automatically posted, or sent via the
eClinic secure client application, every 3 months to the practice that
took the last Pap smear.
If you would like further information about these lists
contact the Registry on (03) 9250 0399. However, for general information
about the PIP please phone the PIP enquiry line on 1800 222 032.
VCCR Resources
Resources are available to help you inform women about the Registry. They
can be ordered on-line
or by printing and faxing the order form to us on 9349 1818.
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