Cervical Cytology Statistics are collected quarterly from laboratories on form ISD(D)1Q and annually from health boards on form ISD(D)4. The data are compiled by the Epidemiology and Statistics Group (ESG) in ISD Scotland.

Form ISD(D)1Q collects information about cervical smears examined in NHS laboratories in Scotland, for quarterly periods ending 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December.

Section 1: Tabulates data on the result of the smear by source (for example colposcopy, general practitioner, family planning, gynaecology, etc.).

Section 2: Laboratories provide the total number of smears processed by the laboratory in the reporting quarter categorised by health board of residence of the woman from which the smear was taken.

Section 3: Collects data on reporting and processing times for the cervical smears taken. The reporting time is defined as the time from the date the smear was received by the laboratory to the date the report was issued by the laboratory. The processing time is defined as the time from the date the smear was taken to the date the report was issued by the laboratory.

Form ISD(D)4 collects information about the cervical screening programmes carried out by the health board, annually for periods ending 31 March. The information collected is based on the resident female population of the health board.

Section1: Collects data on the total number and percentage of women with a record of a previous smear in the past 5.5 and 3.5 years, cross-tabulated with the age group of the woman from which the smear was taken.

Section 2: Asks health boards to provide the number of women on the community health index (CHI), the number of women on the cytology system(s) register and the number defined as ineligible, by age group.

Section 3: Collects data on the number of women undergoing smear examination in the past calendar year categorised by age group. The final table collects similar data but by result of the smear examination rather than age group.

For further information on the data collected by ISD Scotland on cervical cytology please contact Cancer Stats, Epidemiology and Statistics Group.