NHS screening error affects more than 5,000
NHS England said more than 5,000 people who were supposed to have received cancer or other routine screening were not invited due to a mistaken date in 2008.
The affected person has now been notified and details of the dedicated help-seeking hotline were given.
About 10 people have died since then, but it is not clear whether any screening can prevent those deaths.
Screening includes examination of possible cervical, breast and bowel cancers, as well as abdominal aortic aneurysms.
The error was first revealed in 2024 when someone contacted the health service and said they did not receive an invitation.
The problem is caused by a situation where the patient’s GP registration process has not been fully completed through practice, meaning that their details have not flowed to the NHS screening IT system to invite qualified people to undergo routine screening.
NHS England believes a total of 5,261 people are affected.
“This issue has been addressed now, and everyone affected will be supported and any catching-up screening, including where they may now be over the screening age,” said Steve Russell, NHS National Vaccination and Screening Director.
“We want to express our sincere apology to those affected, which may cause any other concerns.
“Anyone who cares about may have missed the screening invitation and can call our dedicated hotline index for support and more information.”
About 15 million people are invited to participate in NHS screening each year.
NHS England said guidance has been issued to the GP Practice and Integrated Care Committee to ensure that all patients are fully completed and new measures have been taken to ensure that all qualified personnel are invited to screen.
Anyone in this group who is no longer eligible for screening, and if they choose to choose, they can all screen.
Details on how to do this are listed in the letter sent to the affected person.
