26/03/2026
Massive well done to our friend mark and his family 💚
ROLL OUT OF HPV SELF-SAMPLING KITS
I am especially pleased to welcome today’s announcement of further steps by the SNP Government to help eliminate cervical cancer in Scotland by 2040 through the introduction of HPV self sampling kits for women.
On the 18th of December, I met with Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Health, alongside the children of my late constituent, Lavina Gilfillan, to discuss cervical cancer detection. At that meeting, Mr Gray committed to making further investment in early detection. I am delighted that commitment is now being delivered.
Lavina’s family have expressed how pleased they are with this development, and it is incredibly moving to see their campaign, following the tragic loss of their mum, help bring forward change that will benefit so many others. They can be very proud that they have helped bring about this change.
The first phase of the programme offering HPV self-sampling kits to women who are overdue cervical screening will run across 22 GP practices in four health board areas - NHS Ayrshire and Arran, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lanarkshire, and NHS Lothian - with the aim of reaching 17,000 women.
These areas have been selected because of higher levels of deprivation, where evidence shows cervical cancer outcomes are often worse. In these initial GP practices, kits will be offered to women over 30 who have either never attended cervical screening or who have not attended screening for at least 6 years.
