Disclosure offer process
Updated 26 September 2024
Applies to England
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This publication is available at /government/publications/cervical-screening-disclosure-of-audit-results-toolkit/disclosure-offer-process
This guidance covers phase 2 of the audit process undertaken when a person is diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Phase 1 (the cancer audit process) terminates with the disclosing clinician sending a letter to the individual, offering them the chance to receive information arising from the audit. (See the accompanying attachment cancer audit process.)
Phase 2 (the disclosure offer process) covers the 4 possible outcomes of this offer. It should be completed within 6 months of the first letter being sent (unless the person defers making a decision). Unless otherwise stated, all actions are carried out by the disclosing clinician.
1. No response to offer letter
If no response received in 3 months 鈥� does duty of candour apply?
No
Document this in the patient notes and inform the cervical screening provider lead (CSPL), treating clinician and the person鈥檚 GP.
Yes
Send a second offer letter. If no response is received within 3 months, assume the person does not wish to know the results. Document non-response in the patient notes and inform the CSPL, treating clinician and the person鈥檚 GP.
2. Offer declined
Document this in the patient notes and inform the CSPL, treating clinician and the person鈥檚 GP.
3. Offer declined for now, but reminder requested in 6 months
Log the reminder offer letter request, and inform the CSPL. Send a reminder offer letter after 6 months. There are 3 potential outcomes from sending an offer reminder letter.
No response to reminder
If no response received in 3 months 鈥� does duty of candour apply?
No
Document non-response in the patient notes and inform the CSPL, treating clinician and the person鈥檚 GP.
Yes
Send a second offer letter. If no response is received within 3 months, assume the person does not wish to know the results. Document non-response in the patient notes and inform the CSPL, treating clinician and the person鈥檚 GP.
Reminder offer declined
Document this in the patient notes and inform the CSPL, treating clinician and the person鈥檚 GP.
Reminder offer accepted
See section 4 below.
4. Offer accepted
Are there are findings from the audit?
No
Send 鈥榥o findings鈥� letter A to the individual, copying in the CSPL, treating clinician and the person鈥檚 GP. (See the section on 鈥榖eing open and transparent鈥� in the guidance on disclosure of cervical screening history review results and applying duty of candour.)
Yes
The clinician:
- sends 鈥榝indings鈥� letter B to the individual (see the section on 鈥榖eing open and transparent鈥� in the guidance on disclosure of cervical screening history review results and applying duty of candour)
- makes an appointment with the individual to discuss the findings, and informs the CSPL
- discloses audit results at the appointment, and documents the discussion in the individual鈥檚 notes
- sends a summary of the discussion to the individual, their GP, their treating clinician and the CSPL