---
title: "NHS Cervical Screening Programme - London HPV Primary Screening and Cytology Laboratory Services"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0788f3"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0788f3"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0788f3.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0788f3.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NHS England (London Region)"
published: "2026-10-15"
---

# NHS Cervical Screening Programme - London HPV Primary Screening and Cytology Laboratory Services

Buyer: NHS England (London Region)  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0788f3

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## Summary

NHS England (London Region) is buying the London HPV primary screening and cytology laboratory service for the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. The work covers receiving and processing cervical samples from GP practices, sexual health services and NHS Trusts across London, with integrated sample collection and transport, automated results reporting, colposcopy referrals, maintenance of the London sample-taker database and support for Trust multidisciplinary teams. It also includes processing tests for London and national HPV self-sampling programmes, which aim to reach people who are overdue or under-screened. These are healthcare and medical laboratory services (CPV 85145000). The laboratory service is delivered across London and supports an integrated screening pathway involving primary care, sexual health services, NHS Trusts, colposcopy services, NHS England and integrated care boards.

NHS England selected Health Services Laboratories LLP (HSL) through Direct Award Process C under the Provider Selection Regime, assessing the existing provider’s current and likely future performance. The award decision was made on 12 October 2026, and the contract was signed that day. Its initial term runs from 1 December 2026 to 31 March 2028, with two optional extensions of up to 12 months each, potentially taking it to 31 March 2030. The estimated lifetime value is £47,550,781 excluding VAT, including both extensions. Self-sampling payments are activity-based, with no minimum or guaranteed volumes. Evaluation weighted access, reducing health inequalities and choice at 30%; quality and innovation, value, and integration, collaboration and sustainability at 20% each; and social value at 10%. HSL scored 87.50%.

For suppliers preparing for a future requirement from NHS England (London Region), this award demonstrates demand for an established, integrated cervical screening laboratory pathway rather than a standalone testing service. A credible provider would need specialist laboratory capability for HPV primary screening and cytology, alongside reliable sample collection and transport across GP practices, sexual health clinics and NHS Trusts. The service also depends on accurate, secure automated reporting; effective colposcopy referral processes; robust sample-taker records and escalation arrangements; and specialist input to Trust multidisciplinary teams. Experience coordinating with primary care, sexual health services, NHS Trusts, colposcopy services, NHS England and integrated care boards would support delivery. The assessment also indicates the importance of improving screening access and reducing health inequalities, including delivering self-sampling services. Specialist workforce and infrastructure, continuity of service and the ability to manage activity-based test processing are commercially relevant.

## Notice

Intention to award a contract for the London HPV primary screening and cytology laboratory service to the existing provider, Health Services Laboratories LLP, under Direct Award Process C of the Provider Selection Regime. Estimated lifetime value PS47,550,781.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

This notice relates to the NHS Cervical Screening Programme HPV primary screening and cytology laboratory service for London. The service receives and processes cervical screening samples from GP practices, sexual health services and NHS Trusts across London, and comprises HPV primary screening, cytology, integrated sample collection and transportation, automated reporting of results, colposcopy referral processes, maintenance of the London sample taker database (including the sample taker escalation process with NHS England and ICBs) and specialist support to Trust multidisciplinary teams. NHS England - London Region intends to award a contract to the existing provider, Health Services Laboratories LLP (HSL), following Direct Award Process C of the Provider Selection Regime, in accordance with Regulations 6(5) and 9 of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The relevant authority is satisfied that the existing provider is satisfying the existing contract to a sufficient standard and is likely to satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard, and that the proposed contracting arrangements are not changing considerably from the existing contract (the considerable change threshold is not met). The existing contract expires on 30 November 2026. The new contract will commence on 1 December 2026 for an initial term ending 31 March 2028, with the option to extend for two further periods of up to 12 months each (to 31 March 2030 if both options are exercised), at the sole discretion of the relevant authority. The contract will be let under the NHS Standard Contract. The estimated lifetime value of the contract is PS47,550,781 (excluding VAT), inclusive of both optional extension periods. Activity-based service line - London HPV Self-Sampling Programme. The contract includes a service line for the processing of HPV self-sampling tests under the London HPV Self-Sampling Programme, a regional initiative aimed at improving cervical screening uptake among individuals who are at least six months overdue for routine screening. Self-sampling kits are offered through participating GP practices, with samples processed and results reported by the provider. This service line is commissioned on an activity basis and paid at an agreed local price per test processed. No minimum or guaranteed activity volumes are committed, as actual activity will depend on programme implementation, participation by GP practices and individual uptake. The programme is currently operating as a pilot, and its continuation and future scope will be subject to evaluation and commissioning decisions. Activity-based service line - National HPV Self-Sampling. The contract includes a service line for the processing of HPV self-sampling tests under the national self-sampling programme for under-screened individuals, which is nationally mandated. This service line is commissioned on an activity basis and is paid at a fixed local price per test processed. No minimum or guaranteed volumes are committed and no fixed service levels apply to this service line; activity will depend on uptake, which is driven by factors outside the control of the relevant authority and the provider, including national policy, invitation volumes and individual take-up. Any value attributed to this service line in this notice is indicative only, based on current planning assumptions, and actual payments may be higher or lower. Activity is expected to be highest in the first contract year and to reduce thereafter, with the same HPV test provided through a different sample route under national policy. Anticipated reduction in activity. Following the national introduction of extended screening intervals, overall screening activity is expected to reduce by approximately 28% in the optional extension years, as eligible individuals will be invited for screening less frequently. Variations in contract value arising from changes in activity volumes, or from nationally determined price changes, result from external factors beyond the control of the relevant authority and do not constitute a change to the contracting arrangements. Mixed procurement. The main subject matter of the contract is the provision of health care services under the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. Sample collection and transport, sample taker database management and associated reporting functions are integral to the safe delivery of the screening pathway and could not reasonably be supplied separately. The estimated lifetime value of the in-scope health care services exceeds that of the supporting elements, and the contract meets the requirements of Regulation 3 for a mixed procurement.

Options: Two optional extension periods of up to 12 months each, at the sole discretion of the relevant authority (1 April 2028 to 31 March 2029; 1 April 2029 to 31 March 2030).

### Procurement Information

Justification: Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below. Reason: The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations. Explanation: This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 28 October - midnight, eighth working day after standstill begins. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/097676-2026 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 15 Oct 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £47,550,781 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NHS England (London Region) |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Postcode area | East London |
| Postcode | E14 4PU |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI4 Inner London - East |
| ITL 3 | TLI42 Tower Hamlets |
| Local authority | Tower Hamlets |
| Electoral ward | Canary Wharf |
| Westminster constituency | Poplar and Limehouse |
| Delivery location | TLI London |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | Health Services Laboratories |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85145000 - Services provided by medical laboratories

## Release History

- 15 Oct 2026 at 17:40 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/097676-2026

## Notice URLs

- https://www.england.nhs.uk/london/

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0788f3. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0788f3.json.