Guidance for system users

The current Open Exeter system will continue to support cervical screening until the point of transition to the new NHS Cervical Screening Management System (CSMS) for cervical screening call/recall. Managers and users do not need to change current working practices until further notice where specific details will be provided.

The NHS CSMS will change the way you access the screening system. It will be through a smartcard with appropriate access permissions.

To be kept up to date, we recommend that you nominate a service lead and sign up for our updates. Also ensure your IT team are aware of the upcoming change, that they have also registered a nominated lead with the programme and that necessary actions to enable staff to use the new system are completed in advance of the changeover. 

Users should liaise with their IT team and local Registration Authority to ensure all devices and Smartcards are prepared for the new system. If you do not currently use the Open Exeter Cervical Screening call/recall system, there is no direct action needed at this time unless you would like to become a new CSMS user. 

Where needed, managers should contact their local IT department to ensure all CSMS IT pre-requisites are in place for users before go-live.

All users will need the following in place to access the new CSMS:

1. HSCN connection
2. NHS Smartcard and Smartcard reader
3. Latest NHS Identity Agent and Credential Management software (for smartcard authentication)
4. Compatible Internet browser
5. Ability to access to the new CSMS URL

We also recommend that all IT departments create a desktop shortcut so that users can easily access the system.

If you’re not sure if you have the appropriate software for smartcard authentication and a compatible internet browser installed you can check that devices are set up correctly.

To access the new system, all staff working in the cervical screening service will need to ensure that they have a NHS Smartcard in place and that the correct Role Based Access Control (RBAC) permissions and cervical screening workgroup have been added before go live. 

If you do not currently have an NHS smartcard, you will need to apply for one at the Apply for Care ID service for new user registration.

You will need to contact your Registration Authority to ensure users have the necessary RBAC roles and workgroups assigned to their smartcards.

All users of the Cervical Screening Management System need to ensure that their smartcard user profile has been updated with an email address to assist confirmation that exiting Open Exeter users will be able to access the new CSMS. This can be done by the RA or the user via the Care Identity Service Portal.

To do this:

1. Log on to https://portal.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/portal/dt

2. Click launch Care Identity Service (Replaces UIM, Calendra and CMS).

3. Under the quick links menu click on my profile.

4. Under the contact details section click modify contact details.

If you are involved in the call and recall process, previously known as the Prior Notification List or PNL, the new system will change the way this list is received by the GP surgery and will also change how you will need to action it to ensure participants are called efficiently and safely.

New RBAC workgroup codes for the primary care sector have been introduced which enable registration authorities to complete the set-up of smartcards for GP practices. Please ask your registration authority to view the new workgroup codes to complete smartcard set up.

Training on how to use the new NHS Cervical Screening Management System (CSMS) will be made available on the NHS Learning Hub.

If you already have an account with e-LfH you can use the same credentials to log in to the NHS Learning Hub.

If you do NOT already have an account with e-LfH, you will need to create a new account on the NHS Learning Hub in order to complete the training.

Training will be delivered in 2 parts. 

Guidance on how to use CSMS, specific to your role providing Cervical Screening Programme services.

How long will training take 

The full training course will take approximately 2 hours to complete. It will not need to be completed in one go.

Training is required

Users will be asked to confirm they have completed the training as part of user readiness.

Open Exeter will no longer be accessible for NHS Cervical Screening Programme purposes after CSMS has been implemented.

To ensure continuity of service provision all system, users must carry out an access check to confirm if they can access CSMS. This will allow any access problems to be resolved in advance of CSMS being launched. The access check will not provide system users with access to use CSMS.

This guidance will help you to complete your access check. 

The introduction of the new NHS Cervical Screening Management System (CSMS) will result in changes to the way that information for cervical screening participants is managed.

Read the NHS England Privacy Notice.

For any questions on the new CSMS please contact the new CSMS implementation team at [email protected].

This is a mailbox to help organisations get ready to be able to access the new NHS Cervical Screening Management System.

For support to access the current open Exeter cervical screening call/recall system, please contact the National Helpdesk Exeter.

Email: [email protected] or phone: 0300 303 4034.