Following the announcement on Friday 7th July by the Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health regarding the postponed go-live date for HPV Primary testing to 12th September 2023 as below, please note the change in HPV swab distribution dates.
SurePath orders will be dispatched as they are received but HPV swab orders will not be dispatched until the week starting 28th August 2023.
The HPV swabs must not be used for specimen collection until the HPV primary screening go live date of 12th September 2023.
‘The new eligibility for free screening and new HPV cervical screening test will roll out from 12 September, replacing the previously announced date of 26 July.
The revised launch date will enable time for Te Whatu Ora and our partners to prepare to offer the free screening, as well as further test the new information technology system that will support the screening programme.
The delay in the launch date will not affect the overall delivery timeframe for the new HPV screening programme, which will be completed by the end of March 2024.’