New NHS At-Home HPV Self-Testing Kits: What You Need to Know

Posted on September 2nd, 2026

The NHS has announced the phased rollout of at-home HPV self-testing kits as part of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme.

This new option is designed to make screening more accessible for eligible individuals aged 30 to 65 who are overdue for their cervical screening and have not attended following previous routine invitations.

Key Information for Patients

• Invitation-Only & Phased: This is a centrally managed, phased national rollout. Not everyone will be contacted at once.
• Direct Contact from the NHS: If eligible, you will receive a direct invitation from NHS England via the NHS App, text message, email or letter, explaining how to request your free kit.
• How Kits are Ordered: Invited patients will be able to order a kit directly via the NHS App, their NHS account online, or a dedicated national order telephone line specified in their invitation.

⚠️ Please Do Not Contact the Surgery

GP practices cannot issue, order, or request these home test kits for you.

• Please do not call or message the practice to ask for a home test kit or to enquire about your place on the rollout list.
• If you are eligible, the national screening service will contact you directly with instructions on how to access a kit.
• If you already have an outstanding routine cervical screening invitation and wish to book a standard in-clinic smear test with our practice nurse, you can continue to book as normal.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I request a home kit if I haven’t received an invitation?

  No. At this stage, self-testing kits are available only by direct NHS invitation.

• What if I want a standard cervical screening appointment?

  If you are due or overdue for a routine cervical screening at the surgery, you can book with our nursing team as usual.

• Where can I find more details?

  You can read more about the national announcement on the NHS England website.