NHS screening error affects more than 5,000

NHS England says that more than 5,000 people should have been offered cancer or other types of regular screenings.

The affected people are now notified and a dedicated helpline is given for support.

About 10 people are believed to have died, but it is not clear whether a screening can stop those deaths.

Screening included checks for potential cervix, breast and bowel cancer as well as the aortic artery of the stomach.

The error first surfaced in 2024, when some people approached the healthcare, to say that they have not received the invitation.

This issue was due to cases where the GP registration process of patients was not fully completed by practices, which means that their details did not come to invite the eligible people for regular screening through NHS screening IT system.

NHS England believes that a total of 5,261 people have been affected.

NHS National Director Steve Russell said for vaccination and screening: “The issue is now decided and all the affected will be offered to support and any catch-up screening as soon as possible, where they can now be above the screening age.

“We want to expand our sincere apology for the affected people for this error and this may cause any additional concern.

“Anyone who is worried may have missed an invitation for screening, call our dedicated helpline for support and further information.”

Every year about 15 million people are invited to NHS screening.

NHS England says it has issued guidance to GP practices and integrated care boards to ensure that all patient registrations are fully completed, and new measures have been taken to invite all eligible people to screening.

Any person in this group who is no longer eligible for screening, will be able to screen them if they choose to opt.

The details of how to do this have been determined in the letters that have been sent to the affected people.